Whistle

Chokwe, Angola
19th-early 20th c

Provenance: Drs. Endicott, NYC acquired in 1994

This finely carved whistle from the Chokwe people combines functionality with sculptural elegance. The upper portion depicts a male bust with strikingly modeled features—arched brows, pursed lips, and a carefully rendered turban-like coiffure—expressing the refined artistry for which Chokwe carvers are renowned.

The warm, lustrous patina speaks to long handling and use, enriching the surface with depth and character. From the chest of the figure emerges a bold corkscrew extension, ingeniously transforming the human form into a resonant vessel for sound. The harmony of proportion and detail elevates this whistle beyond its utilitarian role, making it both an object of prestige and a testament to the Chokwe tradition of imbuing even everyday instruments with sculptural beauty.