Dance Rattle, Pueblo Nation, New Mexico, early 20th century Click on images below to see larger images NMM 4043.  Dance rattle, Pueblo Nation, New Mexico, early 20th century. Elongated rectangular section of rawhide, rolled, stitched, and attached to handle, forming an open-centered circular rattle. Hand-carved, wooden handle with articulated end knob and suede leather strap. Red, black and blue painted embellishments, remnants of two feathers attached to top of rattle. Typically, rattles such as this contain pebbles, though dried seeds or pieces of animal bones could also be included. Arne B. Larson Collection, 1979. Structural Details Rectangular piece of rawhide, rolled (lengthwise) and stitched with sinew to form a tube; ends brought together at handle creating a open, ring-shaped rattle; secured to handle with sinew wrappings; regularly spaced stitches (at 2 mm intervals), turned toward center of ring, leaving outside surface smooth. Eight, evenly-spaced, white painted circles, outlined in black, span the smooth outer circumference of the rattle. Go to Checklist of Musical Instruments of the Indigenous Peoples of North America National Music Museum The University of South Dakota 414 East Clark Street Vermillion, SD   57069 ©National Music Museum, 2007 Most recent update:   February 26, 2007 You are the 1,885th visitor to this page since February 26, 2007. The University of South Dakota Return to Top of Page