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Rattler Necklace

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Rattler Necklace   This necklace includes:
*Hand-carved fossil ivory (mammoth or walrus) rattlesnake
*Hand-carved stone bead
*Adjustable leather thong

Rattler height and width:  1 7/8" (5 cm) x 1 5/8" (4 cm)
Weight:  1.4 oz (43 gm)



  Item #258             Lost in Fire
Please click on the image for a detailed photo.
 
This beautiful rattler, hand carved in Indonesia from fossilized ivory, is amazingly detailed. Every scale and rattle is articulated. If you click on the image, you will see the underside is perfect, with the wide plate scales on the belly common to all snakes. Clearly the carver studied his subject carefully. Sams and Carson (Medicine Cards) attribute transmutation to the snake because of its ability to shed its skin. On the spiritual plane, they say, the snake becomes wisdom, understanding, wholeness and connection to the great spirit. The snake is a powerful symbol in many religious traditions. For example, the kundalini of Hinduism is often depicted as a snake.

If you've ever watched a snake shed it is quite amazing! Not only is it a topological challenge to exit from one's own skin, but once they emerge they are incredibly shiny and brilliant! The rattler has retractable fangs which fold down against the top of its mouth when the mouth is closed, an engineering marvel! The triangular head houses poison glands. The strike is lightening fast! I've heard claims they can bite a bullet shot at them, though this seems hard to believe. Why would anyone shoot a beautiful, beneficial creature like this in the first place? We are fortunate in San Diego to have four native rattlers (perhaps five now), one of which occurs only in a very small area of San Diego county and Baja. This gorgeous local is the red rattler whose color varies from a lovely peachy desert varnish color through rich mahogany. All the reds have a stunning black and white stripe pattern at their tail. Naturally rattlers must be treated with utmost respect as their bite can be very painful and even deadly. Please don't ever step on one or accidentally grab one when gardening or bouldering! When any rattler gets an "S" in its neck, watch out! You'll notice this one is not preparing to strike but is resting happily, watching.

The bead is a very handsome stone bead, delicately carved. I retrieved it from a tray of turquoise beads, but don't know what it is. Perhaps turquoise matrix? The leather cord is adjustable.

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All designs © Mary Hicklin 2001-2004