Raven rattle
Mid 19th century
North America, Northwest Coast
Wood, leather, paint, pebbles
l. 31.8 cm
UEA 831Rattles in the form of birds were used throughout the Northwest Coast. The bird most frequently depicted is the raven, as here, with a �hawk� mask carved on its breast and a reclining figure on its back. This figure is extending its tongue into the beak of another bird � the extended tongue occurs often in Northwest Coast art and is connected to the concept of the tongue as the locus of life force.
« Back to collection listing
|
