The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 19, 2024

Raven Rattle

Raven Rattle

late 1800s–early 1900s
Overall: 31.8 x 9.3 x 11.2 cm (12 1/2 x 3 11/16 x 4 7/16 in.)

Description

Rattles featuring ravens with figures on their backs may depict the acts of shamans, whose exceptional abilities allow them to interact with other-than-human beings to control weather, heal illness, or locate animals for the hunt. Such rattles may have started with shamans but secular chiefs often use them during winter ceremonies, implying they are symbols of power.
  • Obtained by exchange from the American Museum of Natural History, New York, with funds provided by W.A. Price
  • {{cite web|title=Raven Rattle|url=false|author=|year=late 1800s–early 1900s|access-date=19 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1921.1577