Tlingit Oyster Catcher Rattle

Description

Carved wooden oyster catcher rattle with mountain goat at the trail end and two human figures inlayed with abalone shell. Featuring the smoooth, graceful form of a long billed bird with it's neck erect and bill pointed downward, painted dull green on the body and brick red on the bill and legs. Both thin legs project form the bottom and loop backward ot the base of the handle. The bird's tail is transformed into a creature with a pair of long red horns, short ears and a thin tongue extending from the center of its closed mouth to the forehead. The area under the chin and behind the face has been pierced and hollowed out. Four pieces of abalone shell are inset into the bird's and creature's eyes. There are two kneeling human figures attached ot the back of the bird, with red bodies and dark heads. The captive in front has his head and arms pulled backwards, as the person behind uses his twisted hair to bind the wrists together. Three pairs of pendants are attached to the bird's sides, above where the body is split. Each consists of a red "pony" bead and two round pieces of shell, secured with thin strips of leather. The rattle seam around the body is covered with a narrow piece of leather, which is painted green, and most of the handle is wrapped with thin cord. Carved by Ken Kidder, Tlingit Tribe).  These rattles were exclusive property of shamans, whose major function was the detection of witches responsible for sickness and death. Witches were discovered by a shaman during a spirit séance. The witch would be tightly bound, the head strained back by the hair, thorny devil's club pressed into the flesh, and kept until hunger and thirst forced a confession. Ken Kidder is a Native of Washington States, Skagit Valley. Although he is not Native, he has been carving in the Northwest Coast style for many years. As a true artist and craftsman, Ken carves in the style of the original carvers and endeavours to use the trade carving tools. Ken has carved wooden food bowls, masks, ceremonial rattles and other wood items used by the Tlingit, Haida, Kwakiutl, and other Northwest Coast tribes. 31.3cm; 12" x 8" x 4".
Inventory: AE0673_KS