Native American Dance Rattle?
I found this at an estate sale and thought it was interesting. I was wondering if anyone can tell me something about this item. First of all, is it authentic or a replica? When would it have been made? What exactly is it called? I found one that looks similar to this online and it was called an "Indian Buffalo Rattle Toe." Any information would be most apprecited.
10 comments
sonomabarn67
·2 years agoYou're welcome, glad I could help.
sonomabarn67
·2 years agoit's a fake/forgery/fantasy. Modern.
k2500guy
OP2 years agoI really appreciate your time helping me. More photos are no problem. I don't know what the head is. It is not wood and it's not stone. I guess it's bone. It is very hard and lightweight. Wherever it came from, someone put in a great deal of time and effort to make it. I am in Virginia. I will check around to see if I can find any Native America groups that might be able to identify it. I have attached another couple of photos, but don't feel obligated to continue if you don't want to.
1786davycrockett
·2 years ago@k2500guy
Very intriguing rawhide work!
Not sure how close you might be to the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC; but I'll bet they can offer you much more expert guidance than anybody on eBay.
Check it out --
https://americanindian.si.edu/
1786davycrockett
·2 years ago@k2500guy
Sorry to ask for so many photos; but something just doesn't seem right with your item -- the head of the rattle just appears to be TOO perfectly constructed, with NONE of the variations that might be expected from an older, hand-made item.
Can you provide a close-up photo of the front of the head of the rattle as well? And does it appear to be bone, or wood, or stone, or -- what?
The feather bothers me, as well -- it seems to be a very random feather, rather than a feather which would have had a ceremonial symbolism.
I'm leaning towards a more contemporary item (less than 100 years old), rather than an actual ceremonial rattle, simply because the head looks too perfect.
In what state did you find this item, and in which state do you currently live? There may be some Native American research centers near you that would be able to provide you with more accurate information than can be supplied by eBay sellers looking at your photos.
1786davycrockett
·2 years ago@k2500guy
Could you provide a close-up photo (both front & rear) of the wrapping around the handle, from which hangs the feather and the rawhide (?) thongs?
I'm trying to get a better idea of what the design might be on that patch, and of what it is composed.
k2500guy
OP2 years agoHope this helps.
1786davycrockett
·2 years ago@k2500guy
Very interesting -- it appears that that feature might not be a separate wide strip of raised rounded beads, but perhaps actually a very thin strip of rounded beads, wound round and round the handle.
Can you verify which is correct?
And can you detect of what material those raised beads are constructed? (If you have a magnet, pass it over the surface to detect any magnetic quality.)
k2500guy
OP2 years agoI examined it closely with a magnifying glass. It looks to me like the substrate is one piece of something and the beads appear to be some kind of stones that have been adhered individually. They are not attracted to a magnet at all and vary greatly in size and shape. They are not attracted to a magnet.
1786davycrockett
·2 years ago@k2500guy
It might be Navaho-based; but whether modern or pre-1900s it's just too difficult to determine, simply by looking at photos.
Try Googling some Native American or Natural History museums in your area, to see if they can provide you with some more precise information.
Besides establishing a realistic period for the item, I am also concerned whether it is an actual ceremonial rattle (which may not be permitted on eBay), or whether it is a more contemporary replica, which might be permitted. Here's the eBay guidelines on Native American items:
Artifacts and cave formations policy
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Artifacts and cave formations can have significant cultural value and may be legally protected.
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As the sale of certain artifacts, grave-related items, Native American arts and crafts, and other related items is legally protected, there may be additional requirements in order to sell them on eBay. The information on this page can help assist sellers trade lawfully on eBay. eBay cannot assess the authenticity of specific artifacts or the legality of their sale. Sellers are responsible for ensuring that their transactions are lawful.
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