The Cleveland Museum of Art
Collection Online as of December 20, 2025
Raven Rattle
late 1800s–early 1900s
Overall: 31.8 x 9.3 x 11.2 cm (12 1/2 x 3 11/16 x 4 7/16 in.)
Gift of W. A. Price 1921.1577
Location: 231 Native North American
Description
Rattles featuring ravens with figures on their backs may depict the acts of shamans, whose exceptional abilities allow them to interact with other-than-human beings to control weather, heal illness, or locate animals for the hunt. Such rattles may have started with shamans but secular chiefs often use them during winter ceremonies, implying they are symbols of power.- Obtained by exchange from the American Museum of Natural History, New York, with funds provided by W.A. Price
- {{cite web|title=Raven Rattle|url=false|author=|year=late 1800s–early 1900s|access-date=20 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}
Source URL:
https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1921.1577