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Amulet
North America
19th century
Whale tooth, abalone shell
H. 8 cm
TC 159

This amulet, of a shaman holding a rattle (typically used in a healing ritual) and connected at the tongue with a land otter, depicts the connection between a shaman and his animal spirit helper.

Provenance:
Sotheby's New York, December 2, 1998: lot 454.