Tlingit. <em>Oyster Catcher Rattle</em>, late 19th century. Wood, abalone shell, 9 x 13 x 5 in. (22.9 x 33 x 12.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Museum Collection, 05.273. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 05.273_view1_bw.jpg)

Oyster Catcher Rattle

Artist:Tlingit

Medium: Wood, abalone shell

Geograhical Locations:

Dates:late 19th century

Dimensions: 9 x 13 x 5 in. (22.9 x 33 x 12.7 cm)

Collections:

Exhibitions:

Accession Number: 05.273

Image: 05.273_view1_bw.jpg,

Catalogue Description:
Chief's or shaman's rattle of carved wood with abalone inlay. Long billed bird with possibly the shaman himself riding on the birds back, the back has become a land otter with a long tail. The tail ends as if it is a monster face at the land otters tail and horns take the place of ears. The underside of the rattle has a beaked bird with web feet upturned. Koskimo location is now called Tla-o-qui-aht. This was once catalogued as depicting the legend of Ka-ka-tete,[Ka-tia-hete] the whistling demon. Examined by Bill Holm 11/71 and called the finest example of its kind. Condition: Thongs holding it together are gone, now glued. Three abalone eyes gone. Tlingit attribution based on stylistic evidence. Original attribution was Kwakwaka'wak. This acession number assigned to it in c. 1930 when first record was made.

Brooklyn Museum