Buxic’ (Bird rattle)
Dateca. 1890
Label TextBird-shaped rattles are among the most elegant sculptures in the repertoire of central coastal cultures. Living on the Pacific flyway where a wide variety of birds have permanent and temporary residence, artists captured their essential shapes and qualities. This rattle—which may represent a type of gull—would possibly have been used during the important Wolf Ritual or other ceremonial proceedings. The surface is painted with lines and dashes to represent feather textures and the ovoids indicate wing joints.
Object number91.1.24
ProvenanceMicheal R. Johnson, Seattle, Washington, until 1971; John H. Hauberg, Seattle, Washington, 1971-1991; Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, Washington
Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, Selections from the Hauberg Collection, August 22, 1985 - March 16, 1986Published ReferencesThe Spirit Within: Northwest Coast Native Art from the John H. Hauberg Collection, Seattle Art Museum, 1995, pg. 256Credit LineGift of John H. Hauberg
Dimensions17 1/2 x 5 x 5 in. (44.5 x 12.7 x 12.7 cm)
MediumAlder, sinew, metal tacks, pebbles, paint
First Nations, Nuu-chah-nulth, Hesquiat
ca. 1900
Object number: 91.1.70
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