Native American, Northwestern United States, Tlingit, ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. A beautiful hand carved rattle in the shape of an orca or killer whale. The body is incised with geometric patterning then painted in muted hues of red, green, yellow, white, and black. The interior rattle balls are likely stone and make a dull thudding sound. The cylindrical handle extends from the tail and a pronounced dorsal fin protrudes upward from the whale's back. The construction is very tight without any seams, and it is nearly impossible to tell how the pebbles were placed inside. Rattles were ceremonial and used in dances or by shamans to commune with spirits. Orcas were especially symbolic because they had the ability to transform into humans and walk on land. In whale form, shamans rode on their backs holding the dorsal fin. Size: 10.9" L x 4" W (27.7 cm x 10.2 cm)
Provenance: ex-Anchorage, Alaska, USA collection
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#166722
Condition
Loss to tail. Chips to high pointed areas. Fading of pigments. Rattle stones inside are intact and emit sound.