HOCHET for CHAMANIC USE - Lot 49

HOCHET for CHAMANIC USE Wood, skin, lead beads and pigments Length: 42.5 cm; Diameter: 12.5 cm Music is created by the movement of lead balls. A wooden hoop covered with pigmented skin contains them. The wooden handle is covered with a felted skin yoke. The rattle was found behind a large bookcase in André Breton's apartment while Guy Flandre was helping Elisa, the Surrealist's third wife, to tidy up the apartment. In a letter to Thom Burns, Guy Flandre explains: "It's was so dusty and damaged that Elisa wanted to throw it away. Of course I refused and keep it in my own shambles." Provenance: Former André Breton collection. Former Guy Flandre collection. Former private American collection. "I've sent you a few days ago an old and damaged rattle. It's not very beautiful but it comes from Breton's studio."