kwa̱xa̱da̱n (Rattle)

Purchased from an unknown private collector who obtained it c. 1932.

ceremonial

Brown wood rattle with the top piece in the form of a bird with a bear on its back and the bottom piece in the shape of a rounded semi-oval bound together with metal and at the handle with brown string. Bird's circular black eyes are surrounded by a red area outlined by black from which emanates three long green shapes along either side of the neck with five red feather-like diagonal grooves along the upper part of the back of the neck. Body is black with six feather sectioned wings indicated by radiating grooves. Beak and tail are plain brown wood. The bear on the bird's back has a black body with circular black eyes outlined by a plain circular groove, red nostrils, and an open mouth showing ten alternating plain pointed teeth. The bear's tail angles downward to connect with the bird's flat tail.