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A spectacular pair of aviform rattles. There are only 2 sets of Taino rattles known and this pair is notably better. The handles are snake heads and the long beaks functioned as vomit spatulas. The bottom features a smaller snake grasping the back of the larger snakes head. The snake/bird theme a possible metaphor for the feathered serpent (Quetzalcoatl) originating with the Olmec around 900 BC. The feather serpent was a common Mesoamerican deity until the arrival of the Spanish. Lignum vitae. Lengths, Top 13.5” Bottom 11.8”