Clapper

Item number 1885.66.15 from the MAA: University of Cambridge.

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Description

A small set of clappers painted red, green and black in the form of a ?bear cub or ?dog. The head of the creature is finely carved in classic northern style. The clappers are split in half and have been hollowed out, probably to allow the sound to reverberate in these chambers. An extremely narrow, and presumably once flexible, section extends towards the handle. The narrow section has been broken and pinned. The handle is bound together with twine. Metlahkatlah has been written in ink below the handle.; Good

Context

A provenance of Bella Bella has been assigned to the clappers both on the catalogue card and on a small label stuck to the clappers. The location of Metlahkatla has also been added in what is presumably Hepburn' s hand. Metlahkatla was the model village founded by William Duncan, a lay preacher in 1862. At Metlahkatla Duncan encouraged the Tsimshian to give up their traditional lifestyle and convert to Christianity, he also encouraged several commercial enterprises, which included the manufacture of tourist art objects. However it is possible the clappers were acquired at Metlahkatla from someone from Bella Bella as many northern groups travelled to the Missionary town (G.Crowther). Clappers were used during winter ceremonials and often accompanied the dramatic presence of individuals possessed by spirits (G.Crowther).; Collected by: Hepburn.J.E