Vintage Hopi Gourd Kachina Rattle in Excellent Condition

Description

Vintage Handmade Ceremonial Rattle from the Hopi Reservation
This Hopi Rattle was obtained 30 years ago in August,1988 at Three Mesas, Arizona on the Hopi Reservation. It was not bought in some gift shop but purchased from an individual member of the Hopi Tribe. This handmade, traditional 'kachina' rattle is in excellent condition for its age, with no breaks. The colorations and markings on the rattle
are as they were when purchased and show the anolmalies that occur with handmade pieces.  The top red tip (which is the top of the cottonwood handle that runs through the rattle) has some slight cracks in it that were there when we purchased it - see photo.
It is made of gourd with a cottonwood handle and is decorated with mineral pigment and paint.
The gourd portion of the rattle measures approximately 5.25" wide x 5" high and is approximately 2.5" thick.
The entire piece from the red point tip to the bottom of the handle is approximately 9.75" long. The sound of the rattle is strong and really great.
It is very displayable with vivid color and really nice detail.
Please note that there is a handmade string tie on the top of the rattle that
once had a feather tied to it, but the original feather became detached many years ago and we apologize but it can't be included with this rattle.
ABOUT THIS TYPE OF HOPI RATTLE - from online research:
"Native American rattles have been used in ceremonies, dances, and rituals as musical instruments, and they continue to be used today as a way of keeping heritage alive and educating children on Native culture.
The Kachina rattle is used as an educational tool for teaching young children who are initiated into the Kachina Society.
All parts of this rattle are highly symbolic. The flattened spherical shape of the gourd represents the earth, while the handle represents the north-south axis of the earth where the Hero Twins reside in order to keep the planet rotating... Sometimes the rattles are painted like this rattle, with a four-sided “windmill” type of design that represents the constellations of the Milky Way. These more decorated rattles are given to children before their initiation ceremonies to remind them of their Kachina spirit lessons and of their Hopi heritage."
Near museum quality, this vintage rattle is a very special piece.
It has been properly stored over the past 30 years to keep it preserved.
Look closely at the photos.
Photo #s 1, 2, 3, 4 shows the gold colored side of the gourd, while photo #s 6, 7, 8 shows the rust colored side. We really hate to part with this, but it's time to downsize our life.
Shipping will be via USPS priority mail - carefully packaged, insured and tracked.
PLEASE NOTE:  We have described this item to the
best of our ability and knowledge. Any returned
item must be in the exact same condition as you
received it (as in NOT used), so please be serious
about your purchase. We will be happy to respond
to any reasonable questions or requests.
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