Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object ID # |
1961.027.009 |
Object Name |
Rattle |
Title |
Thunder Claw Rattle? |
Lexicon category |
8: Communication Artifact |
Date |
pre-1865? |
Artist |
Unidentified First Nations person |
Made |
Unknown |
Place of Origin |
Unknown |
Description |
This First Nations-made beaded rattle has a groundhog bladder covering, and likely pre-dates 1865. It was found amidst the Sutton heirlooms in 1961. The handle of the rattle is completely covered with rows of beads (green, blue, white). The rattle end is round with two flat sides, and is reportedly made out of a groundhog bladder. The top of the rattle has a leather fringe. Small pebbles likely are what rattles inside. |
Makers mark |
None |
Provenance |
This item is very likely pre-1865, as it was kept by the Sutton family as a memento of Catharine Sutton, who was an Ojibwa woman. It may be a ceremonial rattle. In 2009, a drummer from Cape Croker told museum staff in that this sort of rattle is called a "Thunder Claw", and likely would have been carried by a male drummer. The shape honours the clenched bird claw shape of a Thunderbird. The drummer said that rattles are used for prayers and for healing. It was believed circa 1961 that the rattle was used by Mrs. Sutton's children, but there was no record made of when it was made, or who made it. Mr. & Mrs. Sutton's eldest children were born in the 1840s, and their youngest in the early 1860s. Mrs. Sutton died in September of 1865 in Sarawak Township, Grey County, Canada West. She and Mr. Sutton still had young children to raise when she died. Her mother assisted Mr. Sutton after she passed away, as did Miss Catherine Sutton, the eldest daughter. The item was passed down in the family, eventually belonging to Mrs. Catherine Morgan (née Staves) of Brantford, Ontario, who was a grand-daughter of Catharine and William Sutton. Catherine Staves was married to Reverend Alfred Morgan. Alfred Morgan was the last owner of this item. |
Collection |
First Nations, Sutton Collection |
Material |
Wood/Leather/Bead, Glass/Thread |
Dimensions |
W-9.5 L-24 D-1.5 cm |
Found |
Brantford, Ontario |
People |
Sutton, Catharine Sutton, Catherine Sutton, William Sutton, Albert Morgan, Catherine Morgan, Alfred |
Subjects |
First Nations of Central Canada Beads Beadwork Rattles Ceremonial dancers Ceremonial objects |
Search Terms |
Sarawak Township Ojibwa (Anishnaabe, Anishnibeg) |
Function |
It has been called a "baby rattle" over the years, but maybe it is a ceremonial rattle? A drummer from Cape Croker mentioned to museum staff that this sort of rattle is called a "Thunder Claw", and likely would have been carried by a male drummer. The shape honours the clenched bird claw shape of a Thunderbird. He said that rattles are used for prayers and for healing. |