Vessel flutes have been made for thousands of years from stone, wood, coconut and clay. Lavishly decorated and with a beautiful sound, these little round flutes were used in ancient cultures to charm the birds, please the gods and lift people into a higher state of consciousness.

The name 'ocarina' (meaning 'little goose') was first given to a musical instrument when an Italian teenager, Guiseppe Donati, invented 'submarine-shaped' clay flutes in 1853. He showed them to his friends and together, they perfected a musical instrument that has been carried to all corners of the world.

Nowadays ocarinas are known as attractive school musical instruments. They even feature in the popular Zelda 'ocarina of time' computer game; a new chapter of the ocarina story is being written.

Whether made in clay, porcelain, metal or plastic, each ocarina has its own story to tell. David and Christa Liggins have presented these easy-to-read stories with over 300 colour photographs in 'The Ocarina: a Pictorial History'.