This New Zealand Kauri bogwood fell into a swamp and was buried, for approximately 50,000 years. Carbon 14 dating accuracy falls off dramatically at about 40,000 years, so it could be older. When this tree fell down, mankind had not yet left Africa. This Kauri flute is not however, part of my Vieja Linda series. It is 26 inches in length, with a one inch bore diameter. It has a dusty woodland voicing.The mouthpiece consists of Virginia walnut burl wood, between layers of African bubinga, capped with the kauri. The fetish is cut from kauri, bonded to a base of Oklahoma red cedar. Two small burl voids were filled with crushed turquoise from Globe Arizona’s famous Sleeping Beauty mine.
Inlay, beginning at the mouthpiece, includes a 1.73ct, 8mm, dome cut Mexican fire opal, flanked by 4.3mm domed turquoise cabs. The sides of the compression chamber are accented with 25mm disks of Virginia walnut burl, while the stone in front of the fetish is a 16x24mm Mexican crazy lace agate. The finger holes are accented by four 4mm abalone dots, as well as an 8mm quartz capped paua abalone cabochon. Lastly, the fight or flight stylized horse fetish is accented as follows: the lead horse (which should not be reversed on the flute) has a 5mm Mexican fire opal, matching the mouthpiece, set to the crown, and natural 2.3mm faceted African black diamonds, set as eyes. The opposing horse has a 3.5mm natural dome cut Australian fire opal set to the crown, and natural 2.2mm faceted African cognac diamonds, again, set as eyes.
The flute was tuned at 72.7 degrees, @ 77% humidity, and includes a removable or slide off wrap of South Dakota prairie rattlesnake skin.