Name/Title
Set of nine handmade folded‑metal whistle (silbato)Entry/Object ID
2025.3.1Description
Nine small whistles, improvised from folded/wrapped sheet metal. A flattened rectangular body (the sounding chamber, with the mouthpiece/air slot at one end) is formed from folded sheet, and a thin curved strip extends from it into a loop (for holding or hanging). The folded edges reveal layered metals — a silver‑gray outer skin over brass/gold‑colored and copper‑toned material — suggesting clad/laminated stock or folded scrap. Side profile (image 2) shows the flat folded body and the looped strip.Use
Purchased by the parents of Meyken Barreto.Context
Sold in zoos and fairs. Whistle made by artisans known as "merolicos". This name was also given to the person who sold such artisanal goods. It i unclear if this was bought in the late-1980s or early-1990s. A bunch of them were bought for a children's birthday party.Collection
The Barreto Querol family collectionAcquisition
Accession
2025.3Acquisition Method
GiftMade/Created
Time Period
1980sPlace
Country
CubaRegion
Caribbean, Central AmericaEdition
hand-madeNotes
Bought for a birthday party in the 1980s, according to donor.Dimensions
Height
1.3 cmWidth
1.3 cmLength
2.7 cmMaterials
Material
MetalMaterial Notes
Technique: Hand‑formed — sheet metal bent and folded into a whistle body with an air slot/mouthpiece and an integral loop; no solder visible (cold‑formed/folded construction, inferred).Relationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Meyken Barreto QuerolNotes
ownerRelated Places
Place
City
HavanaCountry
CubaRegion
Caribbean, Central AmericaNotes
acquisition, useCreated By
María A. Cabrera ArúsCreate Date
March 31, 2022Updated By
María A. Cabrera ArúsUpdate Date
July 1, 2026
