Gilcrease Museum is temporarily closed for construction.

Get the Full Story
Gourd rattle made of bell gourd with undecorated lower edge
Unknown
Gourd rattle made of bell gourd with undecorated lower edge
Unknown

Heavy tanned drumhide / Unknown

Essay/Description

Heavy tanned buckskin (possibly moose or elk) that is cut in an uneven circle of approximately 13.5 inches. It is tied in cylinder with 3 ply nylon cord.

Curatorial Remarks

This drumhide would be put on top of a water drum and would be taken off at the end of every peyote meeting. The hide would be secure to the drum with marbles and leather thong. This drumhide does not look like it has been used due to little wear. It'd be more distorted if used. A peyote drum would have been made with an iron or brass bucket. The drumsticks in the Gilcrease Collection may have been used with this is drumhide during a peyote meeting.

Tags: tanned hide, drum head, tan, brown, peyote meeting
People: Osage
Places: Oklahoma
Purpose: peyote meeting,

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

You may be interested in...

Title(s): 
Heavy tanned drumhide
Creator(s): 
Unknown
Culture: 
Native American; Osage
Date: 
20th century
Period: 
Historic
Place: 
Osage county
Materials/Techniques: 
hide (elk or moose)
Classification: 
Object Type: 
Credit Line: 
Gift of Mr and Mrs. John R. Whitesell and Sons
Accession No: 
87.61
Previous Number(s): 
tl1997.45.6; tl1997.45.6
Department: 
Not On View

Our Online Collections site is a work in progress. If you have information about this item that may be of assistance, please contact us.