Post medieval Pewter Figural Bird Whistle (No reserve price)
02
days
01
hour
49
minutes
51
seconds
Current bid
€ 1
No reserve price
Expert
Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 230 - € 280
 | €1 |
|---|
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 140482 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
Figural Bird Whistle, a post-medieval pewter artefact dating to the 18th–19th century, measuring 45 × 42 mm and in good condition.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Post-Medieval Pewter Figural Bird Whistle
Culture / Period: Post-Medieval
Date / Period: 18th - 19th century
Material: Pewter
Dimensions: 45 - 42 mm
Condition: Good condition
No shipping outside the European Union. Due to complex export regulations concerning cultural goods, this item cannot be shipped outside the EU. Please ensure you have a delivery address within the European Union before placing a bid.
Provenance information:
Object Registration ID: 934
The current owner (S.N.J. S.) purchased the figural bird whistle from R.N. in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
The previous owner, R.N. of Rotterdam, did not provide a date for when the object entered his collection.
According to the previous owner, the object had previously formed part of a private collection in the Netherlands. The date and duration of this earlier ownership were not provided and remain unknown.
No further information concerning the earlier ownership history of the object was available from the previous owner.
Background Information:
This post-medieval pewter whistle is modelled as a standing bird, with a prominent head and beak, feathered body and an integral tubular mouthpiece projecting from the rear. The plumage is rendered with moulded linear and feather-like details, demonstrating how an everyday sound-producing object could also be given an attractive figural form.
Small whistles of this kind could serve as recreational objects, signalling devices or toys, although the precise original use of this individual example cannot be established. Bird forms were particularly appropriate for whistles because of their natural association with song and calls, combining the object's function with its visual appearance.
Pewter was widely employed for small domestic and personal objects in post-medieval Europe. Its relatively low melting point made it particularly suitable for casting detailed forms in reusable moulds, allowing craftsmen to produce decorative objects efficiently. Such wares were distributed through established workshops, markets and regional commercial networks.
Dating to the 18th–19th century, this whistle belongs to a period in which inexpensive cast metal objects became increasingly accessible within everyday material culture. Combining practical function with carefully modelled decoration, it forms a tangible connection to the craftsmanship, recreation and daily life of the post-medieval period.
Post-Medieval Pewter Figural Bird Whistle
Culture / Period: Post-Medieval
Date / Period: 18th - 19th century
Material: Pewter
Dimensions: 45 - 42 mm
Condition: Good condition
No shipping outside the European Union. Due to complex export regulations concerning cultural goods, this item cannot be shipped outside the EU. Please ensure you have a delivery address within the European Union before placing a bid.
Provenance information:
Object Registration ID: 934
The current owner (S.N.J. S.) purchased the figural bird whistle from R.N. in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
The previous owner, R.N. of Rotterdam, did not provide a date for when the object entered his collection.
According to the previous owner, the object had previously formed part of a private collection in the Netherlands. The date and duration of this earlier ownership were not provided and remain unknown.
No further information concerning the earlier ownership history of the object was available from the previous owner.
Background Information:
This post-medieval pewter whistle is modelled as a standing bird, with a prominent head and beak, feathered body and an integral tubular mouthpiece projecting from the rear. The plumage is rendered with moulded linear and feather-like details, demonstrating how an everyday sound-producing object could also be given an attractive figural form.
Small whistles of this kind could serve as recreational objects, signalling devices or toys, although the precise original use of this individual example cannot be established. Bird forms were particularly appropriate for whistles because of their natural association with song and calls, combining the object's function with its visual appearance.
Pewter was widely employed for small domestic and personal objects in post-medieval Europe. Its relatively low melting point made it particularly suitable for casting detailed forms in reusable moulds, allowing craftsmen to produce decorative objects efficiently. Such wares were distributed through established workshops, markets and regional commercial networks.
Dating to the 18th–19th century, this whistle belongs to a period in which inexpensive cast metal objects became increasingly accessible within everyday material culture. Combining practical function with carefully modelled decoration, it forms a tangible connection to the craftsmanship, recreation and daily life of the post-medieval period.
Details
Culture
Post medieval
Century/timeframe
18th - 19th century
Name of object
Figural Bird Whistle
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2026
Material
Pewter
Country acquired from
Netherlands
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Auction house
Previous owner - year acquired
1990
Previous owner - country acquired from
Netherlands
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
