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Maracas

Vessel rattle made with gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) attached with twine cord to a roughly carved wooden handle that goes through the gourd. The gourd has some slits through which the twine passes to secure it. There are small, round, and black seeds on the inside. This object was collected by the botanist Richard Spruce during his years of residence in South America.

  • Culture:Tukano
  • Period:
  • Materials:
  • Specific materials/techniques:
  • Decorative elements:The surface of the gourd and the handle are incised with geometrical motifs associated to ritualistic symbolism.
  • Inscriptions:
  • Hornbostel-Sachs category:112.13 Vessel rattles
  • Repository:Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
  • Measurements:Height: 345mm. Diameter: app. 100mm