Rattle, Ceremonial
Name/Title
Rattle, CeremonialEntry/Object ID
2018.3.119 ADescription
Property C10: Leather and Shell Dance Rattles Object: ceremonial dance rattles, Artist/Maker: Iroquois, Title/Model: Leather and Shell Rattles, Date/Region: ca. 1920 / Northeastern, Medium/Technique: leather, gut, cowrie (cowry) shells handmade, Edition/Series: unique, 1 of 1, Size: (1) 10-inch-long with 1.7" shells, (2) 37" long with 2.25" shells (1) Condition: fair, one small totally intact, large is brittle and intact and one small is not intact, all with original parts, Signature/Inscriptions: n/a, Exhibitions/Literature: Native American Art from the Collection of Jim and Carol Getty: Exhibition at Campanella Gallery of Park University, March 13-April 18, 2000. Description/Notes: The largest shakers have an inch band of leather, aged and brittle, and gut stitching attaching the shells to the long rattle. The smaller shakers have a less than one-half inch band of leather, aged and brittle, with gut stitching attaching the shells to the short rattle. The cowrie shells are used to invoke a harmonious sound. Cowrie shells originated in Indian and South Pacific Oceans and arrived on the Plains via the ancient intercontinental trade network. After manufactured goods were available, cowrie shells remained popular as garment decoration.Collection
NATIVE AMERICANMade/Created
Date made
1920Ethnography
Cultural Region
State/Province
New YorkCountry
CanadaCulture/Tribe
Iroquois
Native American, First Nation