Rattle, British Columbia, American Northwest Coast - Lot 55

Lot n° 55
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Estimation :
15000 - 20000 EUR
Result with fees
Result : 19 500EUR
Rattle, British Columbia, American Northwest Coast - Lot 55
Rattle, British Columbia, American Northwest Coast Wood, pigments H. 18 cm Rattle, British Columbia, Northwest Coast H. 7 in Provenance: - Alain de Monbrison - Alexis Brimaud Collection, Portugal - Private Collection Carved in a style characteristic of North American West Coast art, this beautiful wooden rattle was originally part of a shaman's rattle. These instruments were used to provide rhythm for important speeches and prayers, especially during the potlatch. Shamans also used them as a tool to communicate with the spirits and to heal their patients. The carvings on the rattles were intended to increase their effectiveness. Two vertical elements, most likely representing animal ears, appear at the top of the head and frame a protrusion falling on the forehead. The eyes, marked by large black dots, are in the shape of an almond with pinched ends. The half-open mouth reveals a series of teeth. The drawn tongue falls on the lower lip. The shape of the face is particularly worked: the forehead is rounded, the arches hollow, the cheekbones prominent. The nose is short, its wings well defined. The reverse side of the object shows the gouges used to cut it. Remains of polychromy appear in some places.
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