Museum – Cup Featuring An Anthropomorphic Cowherd With A Built-in Whistle – Folk Art – Whistle

Early 19th century – Dated 1811

France – Massif Central

An exceptional and extremely rare carved wooden cowherd’s cup, a remarkable example of early 19th-century pastoral folk art.

Entirely handcrafted, the cup features a deep, generously shaped bowl that retains a beautiful, deep, and lustrous antique brown patina, developed through repeated use and handling.

The piece stands out above all for one truly extraordinary feature: its anthropomorphic handle, carved in the shape of a man’s head, incorporates a fully functional whistle. The mouthpiece is integrated directly into the upper part of the head and retains its air channel as well as the mechanism that produces the sound.

The body is also adorned with three bovine heads carved in relief, immediately recognizable by their long, outstretched horns. The association of these cattle with the whistle does not seem coincidental: it most likely places the object within the world of young cowherds, herdsmen, and pastoral communities of the Massif Central.

The whistle allowed the young cowherd to signal his presence, communicate from a distance, call another herder or his dog, or direct the herd. The cup thus combined in a single object two essential functions of a day spent in the pastures: drinking and calling.

Around its lower rim runs a design deeply incised with a knife, characteristic of these folk objects crafted and personalized far from mass-produced goods.

But perhaps the most moving element remains its inscription.

The cup still bears the name of its former owner, along with the year 1811:

“Jean Marie CRUXE [or CRUCCE] – 1811”

Two centuries later, the object thus retains not only its function but also the identity of its owner.

It’s easy to imagine this cup accompanying Jean Marie on his days in the pastures: carried with him, used to drink from a spring or during meals, while the whistle built into its handle allowed him to call out and be heard from a distance. The signs of use, the wear on the wood, and the deep patina it retains today are all tangible evidence of this daily use.

This is precisely what gives this object its power. It is no longer just an antique cup, but a deeply personal object, crafted for a man whose name has been passed down to us, and directly linked to the daily routines and life of the pastoral world in the early 19th century.

The combination in a single piece of a carved wooden cup, an anthropomorphic handle that doubles as a whistle, three depictions of cattle, and an inscription bearing a name dated 1811 forms a remarkably cohesive whole. Utility, personal significance, and communication merge here in a single folk creation.

A particularly rare and poignant testament to this now-vanished pastoral civilization, in which even the simplest objects were crafted, decorated, named, and preserved for many years.

Condition: superb state of preservation. A few old cracks due to the natural movement of the wood, particularly on the handle, which are now perfectly stable. Very good overall integrity and exceptional patina from use.

Dimensions:

Height: 4.5 cm

Length: 15.5 cm

Secure delivery via DHL Express.