Offered in this lot is a Rare Eastern Woodlands Native American Snapping Turtle Rattle, circa 19th century. Small turtle shell rattles are frequently used by Native Americans. However, the shells of large snapping turtles were originally used by Seneca and Iroquois singers during the Great Feather Dance and in healing rituals of the False Face Company. Iroquois mythology maintains that the earth rests on the back of a turtle. Legend says when Native Americans first moved into North America they called it Turtle Island. The turtle provided food and bowls. When the belly of the shell was split it gave them sharp tools and weapons. They later realized that the turtle lived a very long time. They believed it had a special spirit of longevity, strength, and wisdom. The turtles became revered and honored, and were made into rattles and hangers and decoration for use in ceremonies. Ceremonial drums were also made from larger species. This is the meaning of the Turtle Rattle. Southwestern Native Americans used yucca fibers to wrap the wood "neck" handle of box turtles, but Eastern Woodland peoples would use thin wicker strips from willow trees or reeds to weave around the snapping turtle stretched neck handle and secure the two thicker wicker splints that supported the neck handle and the two split shell halves, and the underside is sinew sewn in the traditional method. Leather thong strips are woven through the eye portals so as to attach to a belt or around the wrist for carrying. This Eastern Woodlands Rattle is in amazingly wonderful condition, no marring noted.