Catalogue of unique pieces
Every instrument is carefully handcrafted.
From mud to music.
To purchase an instrument or to request more information,
get in touch by email: hello@melissahyattfoss.com
GRID VIEW - INDEX
MUSIC MASK
MINERAL MIND
2023
7 x 10.5 x 3.75 in
Wild clay, beeswax
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OCARINAS / GLOBULAR or VESSEL FLUTESEarly inhabitants of Mesoamerica and South America were prolific ocarina designers and builders for thousands of years; flutes were made in different shapes and sizes, in the form of birds, animals, reptiles, fruits, vegetables, and deities.
OWL OCARINA
2022
2.75 x 3.75 x 4.5 in
Earthenware, oxides, pigments, beeswax
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CYPRESS PINECONE OCARINA
2024
5 x 5.5 x 1.75 in
Earthenware, oxides, pigments, beeswax
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MILKWEED DOUBLE OCARINA
2024
5.25 x 2 x 7.5 in
Earthenware, oxides, pigments, beeswax
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BARRED OWL OCARINA
2024
10 x 3.5 x 4.5 in
Earthenware, oxides, pigments, beeswax
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BIRDY OCARINAS
2022
Various dimensions
Earthenware
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WHISTLING BOTTLE / VASIJA SILBADORAWhistling bottles were produced by different cultures from about 1500 BCE to 1500 CE, in Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Mexico. They are composed of a system of hollow tubes and vessels and produce sound through one more or more small whistles. They can be played by blowing into their spouts to activate the whistle, and some can be played through the movement of water in their interior, which pushes air out through the whistle as the instrument is rocked back and forth.
LOON WHISTLING BOTTLE
2024
9 x 3.75 x 10.5 in
Earthenware, oxides, pigments, beeswax
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RATTLES / MARACAS / SONAJEROS
Rattles are one of the oldest instruments and in many societies, they are associated with the supernatural and accompany religious rites. Early rattles were made from a wide variety of materials, such as dried gourds, fruit, seaweed, seed pods, tortoise shells, leather, and other natural materials. Examples of ancient clay rattles have been found all over the world.
SILK FLOSS RAINSTICK
2024
18.25 x 2.5 x 2.5 in
Earthenware, oxides, pigments, beeswax
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SWEET GUM RATTLES
2024
7.25 x 3.5 x 3.5 in each
Earthenware, oxides, pigments, beeswax
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FLOWER FLUTES / FLAUTAS DE FLOR
Flower flutes are duct flutes that traditionally had four fingerholes, and a bell in the shape of a blossom. They were created by the Aztec in Late Post-Classic Mesoamerica (1350-1521 CE) where flowers were associated with beauty, virtuosity, and music.
LILAC DOUBLE FLUTE
2024
8.75 x 4 x 2 in
Earthenware, oxides, beeswax
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FLOWER FLUTE
2021
10.5 x 2.25 x 2.25 in
Earthenware, oxides, pigments
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LILY FLUTE
2023
10.25 x 4 x 4 in
Earthenware, oxides, pigments, beeswax
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BELLS / CAMPANAS
Bells have been made with many different materials and are widely distributed geographically. In some cultures, they’ve been used to communicate directly with spirits, and in others they have symbolized paradise and the voice of God.
SHELL BELLS
2023
2.75 x 2.75 x 6.5 in
3.25 x 3.25 x 7 in
3.75 x 3.75 x 7 in
Earthenware, oxides, pigments, beeswax
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TRUMPETS / TROMPETAS The trumpet was one of the most significant musical instruments in the pre-Columbian Andean World, in terms of denotation of power. Natural trumpets produce a single pitch, but can produce different tones through varying lip vibration and air pressure.
HERON HORN
2023
10.5 x 4 x 8 in
Earthenware, oxides, pigments, beeswax
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BOBCAT TRUMPET
2022
Earthenware, oxides, pigments, beeswax
16 x 5 x 11 in
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BOXWOOD HORN
2024
14 x 4.25 x 4.25 in
Earthenware, oxides, pigments, beeswax
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POLYPHONIC FLUTES / FLAUTAS POLIFÓNICAS
Polyphonic flutes are tubular duct flutes where one instrument can be made up of two, three, or even four different flutes. These types of flutes were common to Mesoamerica, made by cultures like the Colima, Aztec, and Maya.
MUSHROOM DOUBLE FLUTE
2022
10.25 x 2.5 x 2.5 in
Earthenware, oxides
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SNAKE DOUBLE FLUTE
2022
12.5 x 5 x 1.25 in
Earthenware, oxides, beeswax
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BRAIN CORAL TRIPLE FLUTE
2022
4.25 x 15 x 1 in
Earthenware, oxides, pigments
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SPOTTED TURTLE FLUTE
2023
10 x 3.75 x 2.5 in
Earthenware, oxides, pigments, beeswax Read more
LITTLE MUSHROOMS TRIPLE FLUTE
2024
7 x 3.5 x 1.25 in
Earthenware, oxides, pigments, beeswax
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TIMBER RATTLER TRIPLE FLUTE
2024
6.5 x 8.5 x 1 in
Earthenware, oxides, pigments
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ANCESTOR'S FLUTE
2023
12 x 3.75 x 1.25 in
Earthenware, oxides, pigments
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SOUND SCULPTURE
TURTLE TOWER
2024
11.5 x 5.5 x 5.5 in
Earthenware
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Each instrument is unique, handcrafted by Melissa Hyatt Foss