Artwork Description:

The stylized rattlesnake is carved in a black mother of pearl shell. The rattlesnake is a much used motif in Southeastern Mississippean era shell carving. The shell was ground; cut; polished; and carved by the artist. The shell is mounted in a shadowbox. Two freshwater pearls cover the holes where the shell is mounted in the box. The shell can be attached to a neckpiece to be worn as a gorget or hung as a wall decoration.