SIGNED IVAN OTTERLIFTER PACIFIC NORTHWEST COAST FIRST NATIONS DANCER'S SALMON OR FISH RATTLE. Signed by artist: Ivan Otterlifter. Hand carved rattle represents the figure of a salmon, an important fish for the Kwakwaka'wakw, Tlingit, Haida, and/or Tsimshian). It is naturalistic, elongated and is held by a short, simple wooden handle extending from the body. Its palette is dominated by black (for primary outlines) and red (for secondary details and filling) on the natural wood.
ARTIST PROFILE: Ivan Otterlifter, (1936-1999) Cherokee, also known as Cyot, was born in the Pacific Northwest and lived and worked in British Columbia eventually was adopted by the Tlingits. He began his art full time in 1964 and continued until his death in 1999. Besides woodcarving, he worked as a silversmith, carved argillite, and fashioned boxes. He taught art and outdoor survival to schoolchildren. - Length: 14 inches. Estimate $120-150
