Rattle Item Number: A6095 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Northern style rattle carved of hardwood, composed of two complementary halves. One half shows a bear face in relief, the other shows supernatural creature imagery. Stitched together with copper wire around rattle, end of handle is wrapped with a small cord. Inside the rattle is likely pebbles, beads or lead shot.
History Of Use
On the northern coast, certain globular-shaped rattles were used by spiritual practitioners; among the Kwakwaka’wakw, skull-shaped rattles were and are used in the Hamat̕sa ceremony to tame initiates. Presumably this rattle, as well, would have been brought into Kwakwaka’wakw ritual, even carrying special status because of its uniqueness so far from its community of origin.
Cultural Context
ceremonial
Narrative
The rattle was last owned by H. Webb from Kingcome Inlet, so it is listed as a Kwakwaka'wakw rattle, however experts agree that it is a northern style rattle, and was more likely made by a Tlingit or Kaigani Haida carver. When Victoria was established in the 1840s, members of northern Indigenous communities travelled south by canoe for work and trade; the trip required negotiating Kwakwaka’wakw territorial waters, and sometimes a toll to be paid. Such a process, and of course other forms of intertribal trade, battles, and gifting, were a further means by which individual treasures and ideas circulated and changed hands.
Iconographic Meaning
This rattle is sculpted and painted to represent a bear on the front, its paws placed directly beneath the head; the back features a supernatural being with components similar to those applied to the fronts of northern bentwood chests.
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada during 1850
- Collected in Kingcome Inlet, British Columbia, Canada and Ukwanalis, British Columbia, Canada
- Owned by Hector Webb
- Owned by Alice Mountain before June 16, 1953
- Received from H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) and Alice Mountain (Seller) on June 16, 1953
What
Who
- Culture
- Kwakwaka'wakw
- Previous Owner
- Hector Webb and Alice Mountain
- Received from
- H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) and Alice Mountain (Seller)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in
- Kingcome Inlet, British Columbia, Canada and Ukwanalis, British Columbia, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- during 1850
- Ownership Date
- before June 16, 1953
- Acquisition Date
- on June 16, 1953
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 2010/0001