Native American, Southwestern United States, ca. mid to late 20th century CE. A vintage turtle shell rattle mounted on a wooden handle decorated with sinew cords, beading, and horsehair tassels with bone discs, feathers, and tin. This was likely made for sale or powwows within the last 40 years or so, but appears to be entirely traditional materials with some nice age to the wood. The shell is from a freshwater species, likely red eared slider. The shell is pierce around the periphery and the orifices are covered with dried hide and stitched in place to keep the dried beans inside, and this piece is still functional as a rattle. Size: 22.5" L x 5" W (57.2 cm x 12.7 cm)

Please note this item falls under the Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act and is not eligible for international shipping. Native American, Alaska Native, & Native Hawaiian objects are only eligible to ship within the United States.

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Provenance: private Cripple Creek, Colorado, USA collection

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#184259

Some chips and losses to shell. Fraying sinew cords and feathers. Stable pressure fissures on the wood handle. Functional as a rattle.