Calabash ornaments and hand rattles

Dolphin Mammal Calabash Christmas tree ornament and hand rattle

These unique Christmas tree ornaments and rattles are made from calabash tree pods (gourds) by native artisans from the Ampiyacu River region of the Peruvian Amazon.  This rattle features an Amazon river dolphin - two of the four dolphin species in the world that live exclusively in fresh water. The grey river dolphin looks similar to the well-known bottlenose dolphin from the ocean.  The pink river dolphin has a longer narrow mouth and is the subject of numerous legends among Amazon people (often related to unexplained pregnancies of young women).  

This rattle has a chambira palm fiber chord allows it to be hung from a Christmas tree.  The beads inside also make it a great rattle that fits in the palm of your hand. 

Please remember that the artisan carves these rattles one at a time so the exact design of the animal and shape of the calabash pod may vary from the photo shown of this model.

Model: ORWM004

Also see Dolphin Balsa Wood Ornament