Accession Number

Cultural Group

Material

Process

Region

Acquired

PRM Source

Dimension

Keyword

Class

Display History

Displayed in Rank, Status And Prestige On The Northwest Coast Of America, at PRM, 1996.

Description

'Copper', object of status and wealth hammered from copper metal. [CAK 19/05/2010]

Longer Description

'Copper', object of status and wealth hammered from copper metal. Comprised of a flat bottom segment, a convexly curved top segment, and a T-shaped ridge bisecting the top from bottom, and the bottom into two halves. The top segment, which is wider than the bottom and has a curved top edge, has been augmented with panels riveted on either corner. [CAK 18/08/2009]
'Copper', of trade sheet copper, has had crest design painted on upper part which has disappeared except for traces of black paint in places.

Research Notes

The following information comes from Haida delegates who worked with the museum's collection in September 2009 as part of the project “Haida Material Culture in British Museums: Generating New Forms of Knowledge”:
This copper was viewed on Thursday Sept 14, 2009. Delegates commented that coppers are strictly a chief's belonging, and only owned by chiefs. They are a sign of wealth. Gaahlaay (Lonnie Young) was presented with two coppers at his potlatch when he became chief and his nephew danced it. Gaahlaay explained that coppers become more powerful and valuable when they are part of more potlatches. It was also clarified that accumulated or hoarded wealth is disapproved of in Haida society, and so that is why coppers that have been broken (i.e. pieces have been given away) are valued even more. In order to break a copper, they would be hit with rocks, or heated and cut. Cedar bark is used as an oven and it lit to warm metal, whether copper or iron. Gaahlaay noted that coppers only came out on show for special occasions, and hence it is rare that people would see them outside a potlatch. He added that smaller native copper shields are recalled in oral histories. Delegates reported small coppers made from native copper to exist in Massett. Copper was repeatedly explained as being more valuable than gold. With regard to potlatching, one delegate indicated that potlatching enables people who have not accumulated enough food to be fed. Originally, the potlatching season extended from September through April to help those who did not have enough food.
Delegates thought Haidas never made coppers for sale, although one delegate knew of someone in Victoria, British Columbia who made less fine examples for this purpose.
Billy Yovanovich thought this copper looked like a single piece of metal hammered into shape, and that the seam present was part of the original piece of copper. The copper was thought to have originally come from a ship's boiler. The smooth seams were described as uncharacteristic. Jaalen Edenshaw described this copper as being well joined. He added that the T-bar is the hardest part to work. Ideally, he said it should be flat even where the perpendicular lines come together.
Paint remnants were spotted on the copper and delegates thought an infrared image would be helpful in deciphering if there was a crest. Jaalen Edenshaw measured the copper with calipers and found it to have 1/8" thickness. He also took measurements of the rest of the copper to understand its proportions. There is a theory that the shape of coppers is influenced by sea turtles, however one delegate noted that this is not a theory supported by many chiefs. There are also oral histories that tell of Japanese junkets washing up on the shores of Haida Gwaii, carried on the Japanese current, and providing new sources of wealth such as steel and copper.
Jaalen Edenshaw thought this copper looked Haida. Jaalen, Vince Collison and Natalie Fournier all commented on the size of coppers. Vince noted there was no standard size. Jaalen commented that the range of size is between two feet and four feet in height. Natalie thought this example was a decent size. Vince and Natalie both noted that the size of a copper was not linked to its value, and reiterated the ideas about accumulation of wealth and prestige outlined above. They also added that coppers work as an honesty mechanism, whereby people feel a responsibility to a copper and the people and events tied to its history.
It was clarified that if a copper were to originate elsewhere but be gifted to a Haida chief, it would be considered a Haida copper.
Christian White suggested that photographs of old houses and curio shops can be used to find evidence of coppers.
Nika Collison requested this copper be present when the Haida delegates danced on Tuesday September 15, during the museum staff/Haida dinner. A stand was made by PRM technicians, and the copper was indeed present for the dinner on the Tuesday. [CAK 19/05/2010]

Primary Documentation

Accession Book Entry - 'WELLCOME HISTORICAL MEDICAL MUSEUM, 28 PORTMAN SQUARE, LONDON, W.1...1951.2.18 N. W. AMERICA. COAST TRIBES, probably HAIDA. "Copper" - regarded as valuable property by all coastal tribes. Of trade sheet copper, has had totemic design painted on upper part which has disppeared except for traces of black paint in places. Height 100 cm. width at top 68 cm., at bottom 38.8 cm. No WHMM num.
Added Accession Book Entry - 'These objects are labelled 'Gift of the Wellcome Historical Medical Museum' in accordance with the wish of the donors. v. letter from the Director, Dr. E. Ashworth Underwood, 30 Jan. 1951 (in pocket)'. [Now in RDF GI 4/2/2002]

There is no further information on the catalogue card. [CW 11 6 98]

Written on object - AMERICAN INDIAN NW COAST Tribes Copper, regarded as a valuable possession. Gift of the Wellcome Historical Medical Museum [CAK 18/08/2009]

Related Documents File - Letter from E. Ashworth Underwood [Director, The Wellcome Historical Medical Museum] to T. K. Penniman dated 30 January, 1951, inviting the Pitt Rivers Museum to send a representative to select items from the Wellcome collection, housed temporarily at the British Museum. [GI 4/2/2002]

Related Documents File - The Haida Project Related Documents File contains video of research sessions and interviews with Haida delegates from September 2009 as part of the project ‘Haida Material Culture in British Museums: Generating New Forms of Knowledge'. It also includes post-visit communications that discuss object provenance. For extensive photographic, video, and textual records documenting the Haida research visit as a whole, including but not limited to preparations of objects for handling, travel logistics, British Museum participation, transcribed notes from research sessions and associated public events held at PRM, see the Haida Project Digital Archive, stored with the Accessions Registers. Original hand-written notes taken during research sessions have been accessioned into the Manuscripts collection, in addition to select other materials. [CAK 02/06/2010]