OK, here's what I now think, after looking around and doing some more research I think it may be a Pre-Columbian Blackware Hand Molded Flute or Whistle (Go easy on me everyone and just follow me on this for a minute
). When I try to blow into the flute the sound is blocked or distorted some because the inner chamber of the figure still has some dirt or clay in it. I think if the chamber was cleaned out it would play nicely.
I don't think it could be a pipe now since the larger hole is behind the back of the head of the figure and the 2 smaller holes are on the front just to the side of the feet which would put it in a good place for the middle fingers to access them. I'm also beginning to think it could be an original since I haven't found any reason to think otherwise yet (And I'm the first to think it's new made to look old, perhaps I've been looking at it too long).
The figure does show the proper wear in the right places if you were to play it while holding it in both hands. When you hold it with both thumbs lined up under one another beneath it there seems to be two slight indents where the thumbs would hold onto the figure. At the same time while holding both middle fingers over the 2 holes and both index fingers holding the arms then blowing into the top the flute can be played.
There is some slight wear to the hole to the right of the figures right foot which seems to have been preferred for letting the air out then stopped and repeated while the flute was played. While at the same time the middle finger on the left hole may not have been used as often since there is little wear (this may also indicate that whoever played it was right handed). There is also some wear on both arms where the index fingers would be holding the figure and some slight wear at the top of the piece and head band area where one would blow into it.
So here's my analysis.
What is it? A Pre-Columbian Blackware Hand Molded Figure (If it's not it sure looks like one).
What is it used for? It's used as a Flute or a Whistle.
Is it real? I think it's real, haven't found any pieces like it or anything to dis-credit the figure and it does show some wear.
What's the Value? If it were real, judging from some of the other Pre-Columbian Flute/Whistle pieces I've seen I would estimate it's value based on a Pre-Columbian age and condition to be in the neighborhood of $350, it could go higher. If it's not real the value would be it's a conversation piece, it's cool, you could use it as a dog whistle, or you could get in the neighborhood of $2, it could go higher.
Kevin
