Vancouver Island; British Columbia; Canada
Northwest Coast / Nuu-chah-nulth (Nootka)

Deer hoof, wood, fiber string
Early 20 century
Diameter: 6.75 in
Idiophone – Struck – Indirectly (Rattle)

This ring rattle comes from the Nootka (Nuu-chah-nulth) people of British Columbia, Canada.  It is made from deer hoofs attached by fiber rope to a circular wooden frame that is also wrapped with a fiber rope. There are two cross braces in the ring that serves as a handle for the rattle and help stabilize the circular shape.
Rattles like this are very rare and were most likely used during dance rituals of the Nootka.