January 2013 — Artifact of the Month

(Previous) Artifacts of the Month Index

Ceramic Whistles: A Long-Sounding Call of Childhood

These small whistles (each approximately 1.8” tall) were recovered from a brick shaft feature
during archaeological excavations along I-95 in the Fishtown neighborhood of Philadelphia.
Molded in the shape of birds, early whistles such as these were mass-produced as toys for
children and curiosities for adults. Though 18th and 19th century whistles could take the form
of many different animals, birds became popular because they sounded similar to the whistles.
Owls, roosters, and doves, in particular, became well-liked subjects. Ceramic whistles like
these first appeared in continental Europe in the seventeenth century, emerging in Britain by the
eighteenth century. The popularity of ceramic whistles continued into the nineteenth century
before fading by the early twentieth century with the introduction of metal, celluloid, and plastic
varieties.


by