Tlingit Raven Rattle

Photograph by Minshu Wang Raven Rattle, late 19th century
Tlingit Culture; Fort Wrangell, Alaska
Wood, paint and cedar twine; 14 x 4.25 in.
Gift of the John J. Burkhard Family
89.34.1 This Tlingit ceremonial rattle is carved in two sections and bound together with cedar twine. The rattle is intricately designed with various stylized animals and a human figure, perhaps of shamanic status. As with the large majority of Northwest coast rattles, the main body takes the shape of a raven. Within its openwork carved beak is a box which, according to legend, is filled with the light Raven stole from the heavens and carried to a once lightless earth. Upon the raven’s back the human figure reclines - his arms merge with his hands and bent legs. The figure’s mouth is open revealing a long tongue that protrudes into the mouth of a frog which crouches on his abdomen. A long beaked bird with horizontal crested feathers emerges at the figure’s feet and connects to the frog body. The purposefully joined bird-frog-man demonstrates connectivity and transmission between the figures. The underside of the rattle is incised with a totemic wolf's face which likely carried personal meaning for its owner. Rattles are objects of power and would have been in the possession of chiefs who carried them as part of their ceremonial regalia, or used by shaman in dance and ceremony. All images and text under copyright. Please contact Collection Department for permission to use.