Plains - Cheyenne Rattle Hide and Horse Hair

Early/Mid 20th Century

6.5" L x 3.75" x 2.5" D + 10" Horsehair Fringe

Hand Made from Rawhide Stitched into a Spherical Shape while Wet and then Allowed to Dry and Harden and Filled with Small Stones, Seeds, or other Rattling Materials (like deer hooves or beans in some variations). A Wooden Handle is Inserted and Secured and Wrapped in Hide.

Horse Hair is Attached as Fringes at the Base. This Reflects the Horse's Sacred Importance to Plains Cultures after its Introduction in the 18th Century—it Symbolizes Power, Speed, and Spiritual Energy.

In Very Good Condition 

Plains - Cheyenne Rattle Hide and Horse Hair is a traditional Northern Plains Cheyenne (Tsitsistas) shaman's or ceremonial rattle made primarily from rawhide (dried, stretched animal hide, often buffalo or deer) with horse hair incorporated as a decorative or symbolic element.

These rattles were (and in some contemporary contexts still are) used in healing ceremonies, spiritual rituals, or dances among the Cheyenne and other Plains tribes.