Bird Rattle Item Number: A8047 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Rattle in the shape of an eagle with inlayed abalone shell eyes and a face carved on its underside. The wings that extend upward from the top of the body have bird's heads depicted along their proximal edges, and defined feathers. The body of the bird is incised with crescent-shaped and short straight lines. The hooked beak is also engraved with a crescent shape. The face on the underside of the bird has an open mouth with eight visible teeth, and two oval-shaped eyes which are outlined and capped with eyebrows. A faint line is visible along the lower portion of the bird where the two pieces were glued together after the pebbles were inserted. The rattle has a dark brown finish. The letter "A" is carved on top of the eagles head with an oval shape directly below it.
History Of Use
Rattles are used in cleansing ceremonies and usually can only be used by those who "own" the rights and priviledges associated with a specific rattle. The ceremonies often mark a significant occasion or rite of passage, for example a naming ceremony, marriage, memorial potlatch, etc... Bird rattles are used by high ranking officials up and down the Northwest Coast, and may have been derived from the healing rattles used by shamans (Hawthorn 1967:79). This rattle, however, was likely made for sale.
Iconographic Meaning
This rattle depicts an eagle. There are also bird's heads on each of the eagle's wings and a face is depicted on the body of the bird. This suggests that a supernatural relationship is being depicted. Birds in general have a prominent role in the guardian spirit complex and oral traditions of the Coast Salish; as guardian spirits eagles bestow skill at hunting and fishing.
Cultural Context
ceremonial
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in Duncan, British Columbia, Canada between 1950 and 1962
- Owned by Log Cabin
- Owned by Edith Bevan Cross before July 30, 1962
- Received from Edith Bevan Cross (Seller) and H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) on July 30, 1962
What
Who
- Culture
- Coast Salish: Quwutsun' ?
- Previous Owner
- Log Cabin and Edith Bevan Cross
- Received from
- Edith Bevan Cross (Seller) and H. R. MacMillan (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in
- Duncan, British Columbia, Canada
When
- Collection Date
- between 1950 and 1962
- Ownership Date
- before July 30, 1962
- Acquisition Date
- on July 30, 1962
Other
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 7
- Accession Number
- 0081/0018