Rattle

ClassificationsTools and Equipment-musical instruments-rattles

Culture Hopi

Datec. 1950

Made AtArizona, United States, North America

MediumGourd, wood, pigment, cotton string, and pheasant feather

Dimensions10 1/4 × 5 7/8 × 3 1/4 in. (26 × 14.9 × 8.3 cm)

Credit LineHelen Thayer, Orange, California

Object number91.9.1

DescriptionThis is a common style Hopi dance rattle with a circular design in the center of the gourd with four triangular appendages extending out from the circular design ending with a white band paint motif with extending black lines. This design represents rain clouds of the four cardinal directions radiating out from or towards a universal center. The edge of the gourd is decorated with a central black line with crossed lines sitting upon the line at four locations separated by double hash marks. The handle is red, made of wood, possibly cotton wood. The handle projects through the gourd horizontally. The gourd is painted with a blue mineral paint undercoat with black and white design elements painted on top. There is a small cotton string attached to the top of the handle that protrudes through the side of the gourd. There is a small amount of feather material connected to the string. The base of the handle is perforated with a hole and a cotton string is laced through the hole so as to create a wrist strap. The rattle is sealed tight and in good working order. Probably filled with corn and small pieces of mineral. The rattle is scuffed and worn, but is structurally intact.
This type of rattle is commonly seen in Hopi Katsina dance ceremonies and can be acquired without much difficulty at tourist shops and galleries dealing in Southwestern Indian materials.

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