Skip to main content
Object Number
69-30-10/1980
Display Title
Shaman necklace of teeth
Descriptions
Object Description
Shaman necklace of teeth; bones and teeth alternate on gut strand. One long bone incised with alternating horizontal bands, with some vertical cross hatching and vertical running triangle bands. Another shorter bone has 2 bands of eye-like motifs. Medicine man would lean over and sing with this like a rattle to take the patient's mind off of the pain. The dog teeth help keep the land otters away.
Inventory Description
Necklace, worked bone and teeth, incised geometric designs on 2 bones
Classification
- Necklace
Department
Ethnographic
Date
19th century
Culture
- Tlingit
- Historic Period
Geography/Provenience/Site Name
North America
/
United States
/
Alaska
/
Yakutat Borough
Additional Geographic Terms
Mount St. Elias, Territory south of
Dimensions
Overall: 55.8 x 62 x 1.2 cm (21 15/16 x 24 7/16 x 1/2 in.)
Quantity
1
Label on object
69-30-10/1980 & 1980
Provenance
Collector
Capt. Edward Gustavus Fast
(10/01/1867-07/01/1868)
Dealer
Capt. Edward Gustavus Fast
(01/01/1869)
Important Note about Historical Language
Collections records may contain language, reflecting past collecting practices and methods of analysis, that is no longer acceptable. The Peabody Museum is committed to addressing the problem of offensive and discriminatory language present in its database. Our museum staff are continually updating these records, adding to and improving content. We welcome your feedback and any questions or concerns you may want to share. Please email us with your comments.
