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Turtle shell dance shakers with leather straps / Clifford Littlebear

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Curatorial Remarks

These shell shakers are worn by women during stomp dances. Not all women wear shell shakers. Shell shakers are heavy. This set of shell shakers are made from turtle shells. These turtle shells are attached to leather boot tops. The shell shakers act as musical instruments and ceremonial items.

Tags: turtle shells, shell shakers, leather straps, leather boot top
People: Euchee, Clifford Littlebear
Places: Southeastern, Eastern Oklahoma
Purpose: ceremonial events, stomp dances

From interviews with Dr. Garrick Bailey, 2018-2020 University of Tulsa, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology

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©Gilcrease Museum
Title(s): 
Turtle shell dance shakers with leather straps
Creator(s): 
Clifford Littlebear (Artist)
Culture: 
Native American; Euchee
Date: 
1997
Materials/Techniques: 
turtle shell, leather, brass, stone
Classification: 
Ethnographic Objects
Object Type: 
Shakers
Credit Line: 
Purchased with funds gifted by the Lila Wallace Reader's Digest Community Folklife Program
Accession No: 
84.2886a-b
Previous Number(s): 
TL1997.46; 84--.2886A&B; 22542
Department: 
Anthropology
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