Rattle
sheishóox
“rattle”
Language:
Lingít
It’s got a mouth with the teeth here and a tongue that is protruding. Lot of times on a bear you’ll see that. But it’s got a human nose with the nostrils, the eyes, eyebrow, and then a little short ear on top. So with the short ear on top, I would pretty much guess that it’s not a human figure, even though it has a human nose.
—Donald Gregory, 2005
Chief Sheiyksh (or Shakes) VI of Wrangell owned this engraved copper rattle depicting a bear with human features. It is ornamented with human hair and abalone shell. Clan leaders might use a rattle like this at a ku.éex’, or memorial potlatch.
Culture:
Tlingit
Region:
Etolin Island, Southeast Alaska
Object Category:
Ceremony
Dimensions:
Length 32cm
Accession Date:
1965
Source:
Judge Nathan Bijur Collection
Museum:
National Museum of the American Indian
Museum ID Number:
235600.000
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