Shaman's Charm or Soul Catcher Item Number: 73.110 from the Brooklyn Museum
Description
Object is a flattish, hollow bone, shaped like a whale with a fin rising from the center of its back. On the fin is a carved face with mouth and teeth indicated. At one end of the whale is an open mouth. Throughout object are carved geometric forms: U-shapes, circles, and elipses forming another mouth, teeth, eyes and nostrils. Several incisions are filled with abalone shell; three pieces of shell are missing. On back of object, at either side of fin, are two holes equal in size. Thought to be used by a Shaman this would be used to catch or hold the ill person's soul while healing ceremonies would be performed. When finished with healing the person's soul would be retunred to his or her body. Condition: A portion of one end of the charm is void. Two holes of equal size appear on its back, one on either side of the fin.
Credit Line
By exchange
Item History
- Made between 1868 and 1933
What
- Name
- Shaman's Charm or Soul Catcher
- Identification Number
- 73.110
- Type of Item
- soul catcher, shaman, charm and or
- Material
- bone ?, ivory ? and abalone shell
- Measurements
- “9 1/2 x 6 x 1 1/4 in. (24.1 x 15.2 x 3.2 cm)” ?
Who
- Culture
- Tlingit
Where
- Holding Institution
- Brooklyn Museum
When
- Creation Date
- between 1868 and 1933
Other
- Classification
- Ceremonial
- Location
- Arts of the Americas Galleries, 5th Floor