Raven Rattle Item Number: A6795 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Unpainted wooden raven rattle constructed from two complementary parts joined at the handle. Reclining figure on raven's back connected to frog by protruding tongue. Back of tail has a small bird face. The rounded belly has a larger bird face with a recurved beak. The handle is bound in two places with thin, brown bark(?).

History Of Use

Ceremonial rattle.

Narrative

In 1963, Solomon Brown of Kitkatla (1886-1970) took two rattles (A6795-96) and a painted shirt (A6797) to Vera Webb of the Totem Pole Gift Shop, to sell them. He told her the items had belonged to his uncle, Dzagmgishaaytks (recorded as Zagumgish Hoiks), who had died when Solomon was a child. Vera asked Audrey Hawthorn at MOA if she would like to buy them for the museum, which she did.