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Rare Ceremonial Snapping Turtle Rattle

Offered by: Jeffrey Tillou Antiques

Description
Native American, probably Iroquois. Northeastern, second half of the 19th c.
The snapping turtle shell is most likely filled with small fruit pits wrapped with ash splints and leather. Although small snapping turtle shells were used by most Native Americans, the larger shells (as seen here) were originally used by Seneca and Iroquois singers during the Great Feather Dance and in healing rituals. Iroquois mythology maintains that the earth rests on the back of a turtle.
For a nearly identical example, see: The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

Dimensions: 21” l, 9” w, 3 ½”d.

Item ID: DA-NA 045

More Information

Origin:	United States
Period:	19th Century
Condition:	Good.
Styles / Movements:	American Indian
Patterns:	Animal/Insects, Handmade
Dealer Reference #:	DA-NA 045
Incollect Reference #:	746950

Dimensions

W.	9 in;	H.	21 in;	D.	3.5 in;
W.	22.86 cm;	H.	53.34 cm;	D.	8.89 cm;

Message from Seller:

Jeffrey Tillou Antiques was established in 1992. The three story historic building located “on the green” in Litchfield, features an extensive inventory of Americana from the 18th and early 19th centuries. Here you will find an extraordinary collection of furniture, folk art, weathervanes, sculpture, Oriental carpets, and related decorative pieces as well as distinctive European furniture and original works of art.