Native American, Southwestern United States, Zuni, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. An unusual and large handmade wooden gourd rattle brightly painted with serpentine motifs. The globular gourd body is surmounted on a wooden handle with a fiber cord attached to the tip. Small peddles inside the hollow gourd tumble together when shaken, making a rattling sound. The sound and snake imagery likely helped conjure up the venomous rattlesnake. The central register on both sides features a zig-zag snake in orange, black, and blue, with a red arrow shaped tongue flicking out. Projecting from the sides are two flat panels forming the head and tail end of another snake, painted red with a diamond white line pattern. Tufts of sheep wool have been attached to the area where the panels connect with the rest of the rattle. Size: 14.5" L x 20.5" W (36.8 cm x 52.1 cm); 14.75" H (37.5 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Alamo collection, Alamo, California, USA, before 2000

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#167561

Repaired, the projecting snake panels have both been reattached with adhesive but are still loose and should be re-glued. Chipping and fading to pigments. Age and use related surface wear and some areas of discoloration. Rattle emits sound, but due to loose snake panels, it is not recommended for use.