Rattle
A carved ceremonial rattle carved by Nuu-chah-nulth artist Joe David (1946- ), who then gifted it to artist Joe Thompson (1948-2003), who in turn gifted it master carver and artist Tim Paul (1950 - ).
Supported by the Canadian High Commission and RAMM funds in 1998, Tim Paul and his family were commissioned to carve a totem pole for display in the World Cultures gallery (£1.5 million grant from the Heritage Lottlery Fund, Wolfson Foundation, Exeter City Council and the Development Appeal Trust was given for the new gallery and stores).
This carving marks the historic connections between the Nuu-chah-nulth artists who crafted those objects in the collection that were acquired on the voyages of Captains Cook and Vancouver and were brought to Exeter. It also, more importantly, celebrates the contemporary links between the Exeter and Nuu-chah-nulth communities. The totem is also an ambassador for Designation status of the World Cultures collection which was awarded to RAMM in 1998.
It was during the pole’s carving in June 1998 that this carved rattle and hand woven cedar bark vest were presented to Graham Searle, a museum volunteer of 17 years’ service. In his time, Graham helped to document and illustrate the ethnography collection. Graham Searle and Tim Paul got to know each other and Graham was given permission by Tim to assist with the decoration of the pole. Graham was ‘adopted’ into Tim’s Naa-yii-I family where Graham was presented with the rattle and the vest, the title ‘Ticma’, which means ‘generous heart’ and a song. Graham was given the honorary title of ‘Keeper of the Pole’. This gift-giving reflects a First Nation tradition of developing personal relationships, rather than a relationship with an institution.
Sadly, Graham Searle passed away in 2004. Although these items were inherited by his family they were loaned to RAMM where they became integrated into the 2012 re-displays. They were purchased from the family in 2017 with the aid of the V&A Purchase Grant Fund, FEMAG and The Cadbury Trust.
H.250 x W.120 x DP.116mm
Supported by the Canadian High Commission and RAMM funds in 1998, Tim Paul and his family were commissioned to carve a totem pole for display in the World Cultures gallery (£1.5 million grant from the Heritage Lottlery Fund, Wolfson Foundation, Exeter City Council and the Development Appeal Trust was given for the new gallery and stores).
This carving marks the historic connections between the Nuu-chah-nulth artists who crafted those objects in the collection that were acquired on the voyages of Captains Cook and Vancouver and were brought to Exeter. It also, more importantly, celebrates the contemporary links between the Exeter and Nuu-chah-nulth communities. The totem is also an ambassador for Designation status of the World Cultures collection which was awarded to RAMM in 1998.
It was during the pole’s carving in June 1998 that this carved rattle and hand woven cedar bark vest were presented to Graham Searle, a museum volunteer of 17 years’ service. In his time, Graham helped to document and illustrate the ethnography collection. Graham Searle and Tim Paul got to know each other and Graham was given permission by Tim to assist with the decoration of the pole. Graham was ‘adopted’ into Tim’s Naa-yii-I family where Graham was presented with the rattle and the vest, the title ‘Ticma’, which means ‘generous heart’ and a song. Graham was given the honorary title of ‘Keeper of the Pole’. This gift-giving reflects a First Nation tradition of developing personal relationships, rather than a relationship with an institution.
Sadly, Graham Searle passed away in 2004. Although these items were inherited by his family they were loaned to RAMM where they became integrated into the 2012 re-displays. They were purchased from the family in 2017 with the aid of the V&A Purchase Grant Fund, FEMAG and The Cadbury Trust.
H.250 x W.120 x DP.116mm
Object Summary
- Accession Loan No.
- 37/2018/2
- Collection Class
- Religion and magic
- Material
- cedarunknown
- Common Name
- rattle
- Simple Name
- rattle
- Production County
- Northwest Coast
- Production Country
- Canada
- Production Person Initials
- Joe
- Production Person Surname
- David
- Production Year Low
- 1966
- Production Year High
- 1998
