Description (Physical description)
Description for Z 16456: 'Glazed pottery whistle in the shape of an owl.'
Event Date
Author: maa

Context (Field collection)
Found: Low Fen near the River Ouse
Event Date
Author: maa

Description (Labels & Markings)
Label affixed to base reads 'Low Fen, Wilburton Rev. R. Pratt. 1887'.
Event Date
Author: Imogen Gunn

Description (Physical description)
Accession Register for 1887.45[.1]: 'a small earthenware (?) lamp in the form of an owl.'
Event Date 1887
Author: Clare McKenna

Conservation (Assessment Only)
CON.2015.2082 | Assessment Only
Event Date 7/12/2015
Author: kw402

Context (Display)
On display in 'Hide and Seek: Looking for Children in the Past', Li Ka Shing Gallery, MAA from 30 January 2016 to 29 January 2017.
Event Date 30/1/2016
Author: Imogen Gunn

Context (Analysis)
Pottery whistles such as this were considered novelties or toys rather than serious musical instruments. This form typically dates to between the 15th and 17th centuries in the Portable Antiquities Scheme database, and the Period field has been updated from simply 'Medieval' accordingly.
Event Date 19/2/2016
Author: Imogen Gunn

Description (Physical description)
Description for Z 16456: 'Pottery whistle in the shape of an owl with incised wings and projecting beak and 'horns'. Pierced through the head and at the base. Mouthpiece at the back is broken. Brown glaze with mottled green spots on body.'
Event Date 19/2/2016
Author: maa

Context (References)
Joy, J. May/June 2016. 'Hide and Seek: What Happened to Ancient Children?' British Archaeology, no. 148. pp. 42-47 (pictured)
Event Date 4/2016
Author: Imogen Gunn

Context (Amendments / updates)
At an unknown stage, this object became disassociated from its original accession number (1887.45.1) and was reaccessioned as Z 16456. It was originally identified as a lamp, but is in fact a whistle.
Event Date 6/12/2023
Author: Clare McKenna

Description (Physical description)
Toy whistle made of brown glazed pottery, modelled in the shape of an owl. Head has projecting beak horns, with incised eyes. Body has incised wings at either side and shallow circles stabbed throughout the front of the body. Pierced through the head and at the base (left); mouthpiece at the back protruding upwards is largely missing. One of the horns is slightly chipped at the tip. Brown glaze with mottled dark spots throughout.
Event Date 6/12/2023
Author: Clare McKenna