Provenance :
Old Californian collection
Private collection, Antibes

Raven rattle carving is an ancient and revered Northwest Coast tradition, dating back to ancient times and shamanic origins. The general imagery of raven rattles varies little from model to model, but the uniqueness of each piece is assured by the personal style of each artist.

Myths from the Northwest Coast tell us that a raven spirit was the first to teach shamans the secrets of their craft. The imagery of the joined tongue between the raven and the figure had a strong shamanic content and is found in a whole range of objects, from argillite pipes to totem poles, illustrating intimate spiritual contact or the transfer of esoteric knowledge and power.
According to Allen Wardwell1, the rattle was at the heart of shamanic practices all along Canada’s northwest coast. Often associated with healing ceremonies, these rattles were held with the bird’s beak pointing downwards. The pebbles inside the bird’s body enhanced the sensory experience, producing a sound that, by punctuating the songs and dances, attracted the spirits to the shaman.
Among the Haidas and Tlingits, these rattles were the property of high-ranking families, chiefs and shamans. A shaman’s use of a “chief’s rattle” underlined the importance of his social status.
Raven rattles, such as the example shown here, are among the most emblematic works of British Columbia art.
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1- Allen Wardwell. 1996. Tangible Visions. The Monacelli Press Inc, New York, p.239