Watchman's Rattle c. 1941

Leonard Battee created this watercolor painting of a Watchman’s Rattle. Battee, born in 1855, was of the Muscogee Creek Nation. This work is part of a larger collection of drawings commissioned by the Indian Arts and Crafts Board in the 1930s and 40s. These drawings document Native American material culture. Tools, weapons, clothing, and ceremonial objects were painted to preserve the knowledge of these items. Here, Battee depicted a rattle, an object significant in many Indigenous cultures for its use in ceremonies and dances. The sound of the rattle often mimics the sound of rain. It is used in prayers for rain, healing, or to ward off evil. The creation and use of the Watchman’s Rattle embody a connection to the land and the spiritual practices of the Muscogee Creek people. It serves as a memory of cultural identity and resilience.