Interesting Find

[capt-zero]

Haven't posted in a little while, but I found this this Saturday. Unless someone knows better I will assume it is a replica Mesoamerican clay flute. It looks good sitting with my other Mesoamerican finds from the past. It was certainly worth the 25 cents I paid for it.







It doesn't appear to have a patina I would expect from a thousand(?) year old artifact.

 

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[1etowah]

Hey Cap,My nephew found this one at a yard sale also. I have been trying to find something on it but have had no luck.This one is filled with gold flakes and nuggets,is yours?Please if you find out about it would you let me know what their origin is?Thanks very much.

 

[capt-zero]

Now that you mention it, the clay does appear to be infused with gold colored flakes of different sizes and shapes. They also seem to be mallable. I will have them tested and let you know what I find out.

 

[capt-zero]

My researches are peliminary at best, but have found a few instances mentioned of gold bearing clay used in Mesoamerican artifacts. This find is getting interesting. The flakes mentioned show up as those tiny red dots in my photos above. Probably an artifact of the flash.

 

[1etowah]

Thanks man,I am almost 100% positive this is gold,since I have mined gold for most of my life. But hey, maybe I should test it anyway. Thanks again!

 

[capt-zero]

1etowah,
I can't speak for your whistle, but I just came back from the coin shop where I take my silver and gold. They have an electronic assay machine and the results were inconclusive from it. However, I did do an acid test with a micro drop of 18k testing solution and got no reaction from the acid, meaning the flakes are not brass, copper, or any ferrous metal. I guess now I need to find a Mesoamerican artifact expert and elicit an opinion. Starting to get my juices stirred up.

 

[pippinwhitepaws]

Mexican import...reconstruction of ancient pottery...tourist items.

 

[capt-zero]

Once again, I make no claim to the whistle being an authentic Mesoamerican artifact. However, the use of gold bearing clay certainly make one wonder about the expense of making such a replica. There is quite a bit of information on these whistles here:studies on mexican aerophones

 

[1etowah]

Secretcanyon, Have you seen flutes of this same style,and if so could you elaborate?

 

[vpnavy]

Nice buy capt-zero.

 

[diggummup]

I passed on one of those last Friday at an estate sale.

 

[famous turtle treasures]

I have a bunch of mesoamerican pottery heads that have the same gold colored flakes in them.

 

[capt-zero]

I've got some emails out, but no response so far.