Carved Wooden Rattle

Item number E9257-0 from the National Museum of Natural History.

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Notes

FROM CARD: "SEATED FIGURE OF A MAN, WITH ONE HAND RAISED AND THE OTHER HUNG DOWN. BACK CARVED TO REPRESENT THE SPINAL COLUMN. ATTACHED TO THE HEAD IS FULL TUFT OF HAIR. PAINTED BURNT RED AND SOME BLACK. AS USUAL MADE IN TWO PARTS LENGTHWISE SO THE HOLLOW CAN HAVE BEANS OR OTHERWISE TO SERVE AS A RATTLE. ILLUS. IN USNM AR, 1888; PL. 58, FIG. 303; P. 330. LOAN: CROSSROADS SEP 22 1988. ILLUS.: CROSSROADS OF CONTINENTS CATALOGUE; FIG. 370, P.271. LOAN RETURNED: JAN 21 1993." Crossroads of Continents catalogue caption identifies: "Shaman's rattle, Tlingit. This rattle may represent the shaman himself or one of his spirits. His collarbones and vertebrae are sculpted in relief. The grinning face and animated posture of his detailed hands give vitality to the figure. Human hair forms his moustache, beard, and hair, which is long and disheveled in the manner of Tlingit shamans. Asymmetrical paint designs on the face are also typical of shamans."