SPIRITS LIKE THE SOUND OF THE RATTLE AND DRUM: GEORGE THORNTON EMMONS' COLLECTION OF TLINGIT SHAMANS' KITS. ILIFF, BARBARA ELIZABETH DISSERTATION, 1994 UNDER MOUNT ST. ELIAS: THE HISTORY AND CULTURE OF THE YAKUTAT TLINGIT. DE LAGUNA, FREDERICA, 7, 1972

Tall wood carving of an ancestor figure standing on a mounded base. Covered with carved body tattoos, a mask-like face on each shoulder, a protruding belly, and large genitalia hanging out from behind a bark loin cloth attached to a grass belt, the figure wears an elaborate mask painted in white, red and black pigments. The mask has large cowrie shell eyes, boar tusks sticking out of the nostrils, elaborate earrings, a feather headdress plus fringe of feathers, and is surrounded with a clay border into which are embedded numerous tiny shells.

Carved cedar raven mask. Details of eyes and beak and formline designs highlighted in red, black and green paint. Articulated beak manipulated by strings inside the mask which are attached to wooden stick which hangs down the back. Elaborate red cedar bark fringe along top of head and strands of cedar bark hang down from back and bottom of mask. The inside of the mask is padded with foam. Good condition: some of the cedar bark fringe is split and brittle.

A bundle of thick cedar bark rope.; Good

A large hafted stone maul with carved stone head one end and the other is flat. The carved side is a frog with protruding lips, eyes and nostrils. The rough wooden handle is carved into a broad T-shaped end fitting into a flat depression in the lower surface of the head to which it is lashed by fibre thongs.; Good

Double headed rattle. The birds have thin pointed beaks, and flattened tops to their heads. The eyes are round and inlaid with haliotis. The body is globular with small projecting wings and a squared-off tail which has a faint black edge at the rear. The handle is lashed together with cherry bark. The rattle has had wood worm at some point in time.; Good condition but very fragile.

The catalogue card states, A ceremonial rattle of magical powers, with painted carving in relief, depicting the legend of Ka-ka-tele, the whistling demon. This description refers to a raven rattle. The tip of the raven' s beak is slightly broken, but it is holding a small red block - the sun according to myths. Lying on the raven' s back is a red humanoid figure which has its hands on its knees and legs spread. The humanoid figure shares a tongue with a long thin beaked bird. The bird could be a kingfisher as it has a four feather plumage extending from the rear of its head. The belly of the raven is expertly carved and painted with elaborate U-forms and ovoids which form a hook nosed creature, possibly a hawk, but highly ambiguous. The tips of the raven' s wings extend towards the back of the rattle, and the handle is wrapped with cherry bark.; Good