Mayan/Aztec Whistle

[kirby]

A young man working on my landscaping brought this by for me to see today.

The story is that he was visiting family in Mexico and went to a market where he saw this item. The men(2) working at the booth were making jewelry and the sort; in no way associated with this type of piece.

Anyway, the young man asked how much they wanted for it and they originally told him that it was not for sale. He liked it so he decided to go back later to try and buy it. After much discussion they took 15 dollars for it, telling him that it was "found" near Mexico City. It does exhibit some fairly heavy patina that would indicate use, but this is way out of my league.

I know there has bound to be someone around here that can tell me if they think this is authentic or not. He doesn't want to sell it, so I'm just trying to assist him in determining if it's real or a replica.

Any comments would be welcomed.

[Aboman]

It looks like a real Mexican folk art whistle or ocarina. I don't think it is very old.

[kirby]

Thanks Aboman. I really had no experience to draw from here.

Thanks for your response.