Buxic’ (Bird rattle)
ca. 1890
Bird-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.
Alder, sinew, metal tacks, pebbles, paint
17 1/2 x 5 x 5 in. (44.5 x 12.7 x 12.7 cm)
Gift of John H. Hauberg
91.1.24
Provenance: Micheal R. Johnson, Seattle, Washington, until 1971; John H. Hauberg, Seattle, Washington, 1971-1991; Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, Washington