20th C Pacific Northwest Wood Ceremonial Raven Rattle

Native American, Pacific Northwest, Haida or Tlingit, ca. early 20th century CE. A chief's ceremonial raven rattle carved from two large wood sections - the wood of a warm caramel hue with red and black pigments, with a cylindrical handle joined by two native wood pegs. The rattle represents a raven in flight, its eyes inlaid with iridescent abalone shell, its slightly opened beak holding a small sun disc, its breast and underbelly displaying a stylized totemic mask representing a hawk with iridescent abalone shell eyes, openwork hooked beak in relief and incised formline details overall, red pigmented parted lips, and another pair of abalone eyes toward the handle. There is a reclining shaman on the raven's back, his hands to his belly, and the protruding elongated tongue projecting into the long, narrow beak of another highly stylized bird head forming the tail feathers of the raven, each figure with well-defined mask-like features and abalone inlaid eyes. The skillfully carved piece also contains rattles within, making for a vibrant percussive instrument. Size: 13.25" H (33.7 cm); 13.375" H (34 cm) on included custom stand.

The following passage by the curatorial department of the Metropolitan Museum of Art from their description of a 19th century raven rattle (89.4.611) provides useful contextualization for a better understanding of this example, "Most often associated with shamanic practices on the Northwest Coast, raven rattles are held oriented with the bird's beak pointing down when used in dance. Additionally, rattles like this are used to channel a shaman's spirit guide and can be used in healing ceremonies. Much of the symbolism associated with this rattle comments on the transmission of power from one figure to the next—the raven to humankind in general (as oral tradition states) and the kingfisher to the prone figure on the raven's back. The prone figure is personified with a face of a wolf, perhaps another guide of the owner of this rattle. Rattles are considered extremely personal objects and bear specific symbolism and power known only by those who understand their meaning. As symbols of power, rattles are also kept by clan leaders. " (https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/89.4.611/)

Provenance: private Ventura County, California, USA collection

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#129386

Minor areas of surface wear. Nice overall patina. Rattle makes a wonderful percussive sound.