Kanyáhte’ ká’nowa’ (Snapping turtle rattle) or Kastáwēˀshæˀ (Ga-Nó-Wa

A snapping turtle shell rattle, its domed carapace mottled brown and cream, joined to a wooden handle wrapped in dark leather bands. The handle ends in a carved, weathered knob with small pieces set into it. The object is photographed in full profile against a plain grey backdrop, showing its shape and worn surface clearly.

Look closer: Small pieces, possibly cherry pits, are set into the carved knob at the end of the handle.

Artist

Unknown

Date

19th century

Medium

Shell, wood, cherry pits?, leather

Source

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Size

1280 × 720 px

Credit (appreciated, not required for public-domain works): The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889