Description:

Native American, Pacific Northwest Coast, United States, Tsimshian, Haida, or Tlingit, ca. late 20th to 21st century CE. A bone soul catcher amulet carved from a bear bone and inlaid with nacre shells, featuring a classic formline style with flaring double headed zoomorphs with spirit faces in the center. Both ends are plugged with cedar and leather, and a glass bead is contained inside the hollowed-out bone. Size: 8" L x 1.75" W (20.3 cm x 4.4 cm)

Sickness and disease were often attributed to spirit possession; thus, the shaman would travel to the spirit world to recover a patient's "lost soul" and employ the soul catcher to contain the soul by plugging the hollow sculpture with wads of shredded cedar bark or other materials. The shaman would then return the soul to its rightful owner in the living world. Malevolent spirits could also be contained in these pendants - shamans would exorcise them from afflicted patients and catch the evil within these soul catchers. It is unclear what happened to these evil spirits and containers - were these permanently encased and not intended to be released?

Please note this item falls under the Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act and is not eligible for international shipping. Native American, Alaska Native, & Native Hawaiian objects are only eligible to ship within the United States.

Parts from certain animal species and shells may require an additional license upon import into another country due to legislation relating to endangered species and environmental conservation. If you are not sure whether CITES rules apply to your item, please see the CITES Appendices.

Provenance: Private Parker, Colorado, USA collection

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#185914

  • Condition: A few minor chips to the nacre shell inlays, otherwise intact and great condition.

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May 11, 2024 9:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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