Rattle - Shark by Lonnie Acord

Shark rattle carved of alder wood by acclaimed adopted Tlingit artist Lonnie Acord of Juneau, Alaska

Rattles are an important part of Native Cultures often associated with shamanic practices on the Northwest Coast serving several purposes: Dance and Ceremonies, Spiritual Channeling, and Symbolism

Lonnie Accord is a non-native artist that follows the traditional forms and adds a hint of his own style. Acord says he respects the spiritual native culture and loves the artistic aspect of the Tlingit masks. He is inspired by the critters of old myths, but also finds inspiration in the everyday. 

His interest in carving began when he was a little boy, carving out boats, toys and replicas of hunting knives. Woodcarving came easy to him and when he took a mask carving class on Lopez Island, his art focus shifted to learning the art of Tlingit masks.