Rattle Item Number: 3260/31 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Shaman or healer's globular-shaped rattle features an owl on the front, its beak pronounced and its wings and legs carved in low relief; and on the reverse, another beaked creature, with legs and two-toed claws. Pins of native copper secure the handle, and sinew ties hold the rattle closed; black and red paint accents the carved imagery. (Interior likely holds pebbles, beads or lead shot.)
Cultural Context
ceremonial
Narrative
Although this rattle was collected by Reverend Thomas Crosby on Haida Gwaii in 1908, its sculptural style and broad, heavy formlines indicate an early-1800s Ts’msyen or Gitxsan origin. The rattle continued its journey by entering into the George Heye Foundation collection, New York, before being exchanged to the American collector Morton May, then passing through several more hands until it was sold to Elspeth McConnell in 2006 through Sotheby’s New York.
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada between 1800 and 1850
- Collected during 1908
- Owned by Elspeth McConnell before August 12, 2017
- Owned by Thomas Crosby during 1908
- Received from Elspeth McConnell (Donor) on August 12, 2017
What
- Name
- Rattle
- Identification Number
- 3260/31
- Type of Item
- rattle
- Material
- copper metal, maple wood, sinew and paint
- Overall
- height 29.0 cm, width 15.5 cm, depth 15.5 cm
Who
- Culture
- Gitxsan ? or Tsimshian ?
- Previous Owner
- Elspeth McConnell and Thomas Crosby
- Received from
- Elspeth McConnell (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- between 1800 and 1850
- Collection Date
- during 1908
- Ownership Date
- before August 12, 2017 and during 1908
- Acquisition Date
- on August 12, 2017
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 3260/0031