Advanced Search
Advanced Search

Reed pipe

Native American, Tsimshian
19th century
Object Place: British Columbia, Canada, Northern Coastal region

Medium/Technique Red cedar
Dimensions Length 23.1 cm, width 6.9 cm, thickness 4 cm (Length 9 1/8 in., width 2 11/16 in., thickness 1 9/16 in.)
Credit Line Leslie Lindsey Mason Collection
Accession Number17.2214
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsMusical instrumentsAerophones

DescriptionBottle-shaped body (of rectangular cross-section) constructed of two hollowed out halves of red cedar (?), originally bound with unknown substance (now missing) at each end and at center. Concealed double reed of red cedar (?), bound with strip of cloth and affixed with pitch inside proximal half of body. Lozenge-shaped embouchure hole.

ProvenanceBy 1903, Francis W. Galpin (b. 1858 - d. 1945), Hatfield Regis, England [see note]; 1916, sold by Francis W. Galpin to William Lindsey (b. 1858 - d. 1922), Boston; 1916, gift of William Lindsey to the MFA. (Accession Date: October 5, 1916)

NOTE: F. W. Galpin, "The Whistles and Reed Instruments of the American Indians of the North-West Coast," Proceedings of the Musical Association, 29th sess. (1902-1903): pl. II, fig. 11a.