Dance chief whistle made of eagle bone / Unknown

Essay/Description

whistle - bone

Curatorial Remarks

In some dances, people are in charge of the dance. The dance chief would use a whistle like this to signal the dancers on what to do, such as a signal for repetition.

Tags: eagle bone, whistle
People: Native American
Places: Plains, Oklahoma
Purpose: ceremonial use

From interviews with Dr. Garrick Bailey, 2018-2020 University of Tulsa, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology

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Anthropology Item Information

©Gilcrease Museum

Title(s):

Dance chief whistle made of eagle bone

Creator(s):

Unknown

Culture:

Native American; possibly Osage

Date:

1874

Materials/Techniques:

bone (eagle), shell, cotton

Classification:

Ethnographic Objects

Object Type:

Whistle

Accession No:

83.1028

Previous Number(s):

8326.1028; 24512

Department:

Anthropology

Not On View

Dimensions

Overall:

Length: 8 1/4in. (21.0cm)
Width: 0 3/4in. (1.9cm)

Marks and Inscriptions

Inscriptions: "Dance Chief's signal whistle"

Cite this Page

Unknown. Dance chief whistle made of eagle bone. 83.1028. 1874. Tulsa: Gilcrease Museum, https://collections.gilcrease.org/object/831028 (09/09/2019).

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