Size 4" x 5 1/2" (width - height)

Shepherds traditionally played pipes to keep themselves entertained while tending their flocks at night.  The pipes they played were adapted from simple flutes by adding an "air bladder" made of animal skins which functioned as a reservoir to contain air. The player squeezed the bag in order to produce continuous air flow, breathed into the 'blowpipe', and at the same time fingered the flute to produce the music. The sound produced could be quite loud and would carry over a long distance. The Scottish bagpipe is the pipe's current day descendant.

The pipe being played by the angel depicted here, however, is only of the simple flute.