Ocarina, 11th century Guanacaste Nicoya, Costa Rica

A wind musical instrument, a type of whistling vessel flute. There are clay, porcelain and wooden ocarinas. The name "ocarina" is applied both to the whole family of whistling flutes and to a specific variety invented in Italy in 1860 by Giuseppe Donati and used in classical music; it is also called the "classical ocarina". Folk ocarinas are used all over the world, in Latin America, China, Africa, Eastern Europe and elsewhere. In many cultures the ocarina is considered a children's toy; in Europe it became popular as such in the mid-19th century.