Turtle Pendant Item Number: 1590/56 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Silver-plated hollow turtle with zigzag engraving on back; eyes engraved on head; nose ring with hole; right side of neck has hole; on back three cartouches with marks; letters stamped on back.
Initially, the main sources of silver were British, French, and Spanish coins. Most ornaments were produced by silversmiths of European origin in North America and Europe. By the mid-18th century silver objects were produced in New England, Quebec and Montreal. Silver ornaments continue to be produced by native silversmiths in Canada and the USA. Animal imagery is a significant part of woodland first nations tradition, but no documented instance has been found of the use of animal effigies in trade. The place of effigies in woodlands culture is not known.
personal ornamentation
Rocker engraving is a freehand technique. Irregularity is characteristic.
The Iroquois legend of the turtle explains that the Earth was formed from a lump of mud on the turtle's back. See Frederickson, page 59.