Southwest
Southwest / Navajo

Deer hooves, buffalo hide and hair
ca. Early 20th century
Length: 8 in w/o tail
Idiophones – Struck Idiophones – Rattles

An early 20^th century Navajo hide rattle with a buffalo hide and porcupine quill quillwork wrapped handle and a buffalo tail end.  This rattle shows a thick bison parfleche rawhide top with dark coloring and the classic Navajo incised zig-zag and etched design with red, blue, and white ocher mineral pigment coloring. Each corner of the rattle bulbous top shows trade cotton fringe.  Inside are possibly small stones.