Cuba 
Unknown

Wood, gourd, seeds, pigment, fiber,
ca. 1950’s CE
Height: 13.5 in; Width: 4 in

Idiophones – Struck Idiophones – Indirectly

A vintage Latin American festive painted polychrome rattle made from a hollow gourd (possibly calabash) attached to a wooden handle, similar in form to Caribbean maracas or Rumba shakers.  This shaker shows a zig-zagging line above the four men dressed in elaborate and vibrant clothing (presumably from the early post-Conquest period), and all are flanked above and below with segmented areas of orange, red, blue, and green hues.  Rattles help maintain traditions and this one produces a marvelous percussive sound when shaken in a rhythmic manner

This rattle was acquired 38 years ago through a private Moore collection, Denver, Colorado, USA.

Artemis Gallery COA