Shaman's rattle

ca. 1750–80

Not on view

Returned to lender

This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.

Rattles are used to signal the beginning of an important speech or prayer during potlatch ceremonies, which bring together different classes of what have historically been highly stratified societies to witness leaders’ generosity and status. Tsimshian shamans also use rattles as tools to communicate with spirit ancestors and to heal patients. In this example, the front is defined as a human head enlivened with bone teeth and a crown with bear hair. The reverse is incised and gouged with abstract zoomorphic designs. The contrast between the aggressive gaze and the pattern of crests on the reverse was both decorative and meant to enhance the rattle’s effectiveness.

Artwork Details

Overview

Title: Shaman's rattle
Date: ca. 1750–80
Geography: Made in British Columbia, Canada
Culture: Tsimshian, Native American
Medium: Birch, bone, hair, pigment, and metal pins
Dimensions: 14 × 9 × 4 1/2 in. (35.6 × 22.9 × 11.4 cm)
Credit Line: Loan from the Charles and Valerie Diker Collection
Curatorial Department: The American Wing