Shell Trumpet
ClassificationsTools and Equipment-musical instruments-trumpets
Culture
Massim
Date20th Century
Made AtMilne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea
MediumShell
Dimensions11 × 5 1/2 × 4 1/2 in. (27.9 × 14 × 11.4 cm)
Credit LineAnonymous Gift
Object number2021.7.62
DescriptionThis shell once housed a large marine snail, but has been altered to use as a signaling trumpet. It was made by an individual residing on Woodlark Island, one of many small islands among Papua New Guinea's Milne Bay Province.The most frequent use of shell trumpets in Papua New Guinea was as signaling instruments.The trumpet would be blown to alert individuals and inhabitants of islands of the return of groups of men who had left their homes for trading, exploring, etc. They were also used to signal the approach of a hostile group of travelers. Only one tone can be created by blowing into the hole on this trumpet. As such, signals were sent in the form of different rhythmic codes. These codes included various long and short notes that were grouped together in various different ways.
On View
Not on viewCollections
20th Century
early to mid 20th Century
late 19th to early 20th Century
18th to 19th Century
1956-1959
c. 1840
