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Vintage Iroquois "Crow" rattle: antler handle, deer hooves, carved crow head

$ 33.13

Availability: 70 in stock
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
  • Handmade: Yes
  • Condition: New
  • Modified Item: No
  • Tribal Affiliation: Iroquois

    Description

    This is an Iroquois dance rattle with deer antler handle, 9 deer hoof "rattles", carved wooden crow's head tip, elaborate beadwork design in purple and white seed beads  (wampum colors) over leather under wrap at handle top
    .. -  Hooves are attached to top under the Crow's head tip -  beads attached are very old vintage beads.  Each "rattle hoof" has  clear 3 large clear red tubular beads on attaching sinew - and at the top of each bead dangle is a rounder faceted blue bead - most of these are vintage dark blue Russian faceted trade beads...  a couple appear to be not faceted dark blue Russian tubular trade beads... From early 1800's and with some value for each of these.   This rattle is about 50 +/- a few years old according to former Mohawk owner.
    The carved crow's head has been painted black - which has worn in spots. Last photo in slideshow is best photo of crow's head at top.   There are carved V's for feathers on neck of crow.  Distinct carved beak  -  The beadwork is in a beautiful lightning/diagonal stripe design at it's bottom... then just diagonal lines then straight lines...  Unique and quite beautiful pattern.   - Upside down photo of rattle shows this pattern best.
    Antler handle is 8" long, crow's head is 3" long but curved so this is 10.5" long total.  The hooves are varying sizes from quite small to quite large - lengths range from 1/2" - 2".
    Makes a really distinctive rich sound when shaken.