Description

Necklace consisting of 64 small glass beads (28 red, 36 white) and 15 oval silver beads (8 small and 7 large) strung on cotton thread. The upper glass beads are in groups of 4 (1 red, 2 white, 1 red) separated alternately by a large, then a small silver bead. This pattern is broken once where there are no glass beads between a large and a small silver bead. The lower glass beads are in groups of 5 (1 red, 3 white, 1 red), separated alternately by a large, then a small silver bead. Maker’s marks in two cartouches on large silver beads.

History Of Use

Silver ornaments represent an important part of early exchange between Europeans, including fur traders, and First Nations peoples, especially in eastern and central Canada and the U.S.A. Initially, the main source of silver was British, French and Spanish coins. Most ornaments were produced by silversmiths of European origin in North America and Europe, and were actively traded only from 1760 to 1821. By the mid-18th century silver objects were produced in New England, Quebec and Montreal. Silver was used by First Nations peoples as a sign of rank. Silver ornaments in these styles continue to be produced by native silversmiths in central Canada and the U.S.A.

In 1670 King Charles II of England granted an exclusive fur trading charter to the Hudson’s Bay Company in what was later to become Canada. The company’s mandate was to protect the Crown’s interests and undertake exploration and territorial expansion. Competition for furs was intense, and in 1784 the North West Company was formed by a number of independent trading groups. By 1821 this Company faced bankruptcy and merged with the Hudson’s Bay Company. This latter company still exists today, operating a number of retail stores across Canada, and is known simply as The Bay.

Cultural Context

trade; personal decoration; status