Just off the coast of British Columbia – Haida Gwaii
Northwest Coast / Haida

Wood, pigment, leather, abalone
ca. Early – Mid 1900s
Length:  9 in
Idiophone – Struck – Struck Indirectly – Rattle

A Pacific Northwest Coast wooden rattle from the Haida people, possibly used during dance rituals.  On top of the leather tied two-piece hollow chamber of the rattle section in the shape of a salmon, is a bird with a human-like carved head on its back.  A tubular handle/tail projects from the rear.  The skillfully carved and polished rattle has blue, black, and red pigment, with carvings of possible gills on the salmon.  A motif of an eye is in the center of the salmon body on both sides and in the center of the carved wings of the bird.  Abalone has been inserted as eyes for the bird and the human carved head.