WHISTLE

Report on post-medieval silver whistle from Near Hereford, Herefordshire

Fragmentary silver whistle made from silver sheet, broken and flattened at one end. The mouthpiece intact, shaped for blowing, and slit relatively undamaged. Remains of illegible maker's mark just above slit. Raised twisted rib decoration on the body of the whistle and border with stamped flower-heads between incised lines. Solder marks under the slit may indicate there was originally a small handle at this point, as on other reported examples (see below).

Compare with a fragmentary whistle, also with maker's mark, reported through the Treasure Act from Lincolnshire, Tar 2004, no. 346 and a more complete whistle, also marked, from West Sussex, TAR 1998-9, no. 242. Both these whistles are described as being 17th C hunting whistles. They could also have been used for hawking. TAR 2004 346 is also marked with the owner's initials. This example likely also to be 17th C.

As such, due to its age and precious metal content, this object qualifies as Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996. Dr Dora Thornton, Curator of Renaissance Collections The British Museum