Turtle Pendant Item Number: 1590/55 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Hollow silver-plated turtle. A line of zigzag engraving outlines the carapace. Hole through nose.
History Of Use
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. 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.
Cultural Context
personal ornamentation
Iconographic Meaning
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.
Specific Techniques
Roulette engraving produces a uniform zigzag, an identifying feature of this technique, and is created by using a revolving disk with sharp teeth.
Item History
- Made by Louis Charles Palin (Maker) in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada between 1696 and 1765
- Owned by Kathleen E. Reif before September 9, 1993
- Received from Kathleen E. Reif (Donor) on September 9, 1993
What
- Name
- Turtle Pendant
- Identification Number
- 1590/55
- Type of Item
- pendant
- Material
- copper metal and silver metal
- Manufacturing Technique
- cut, polished, repousse, engraved, plated and stamped
- Overall
- height 1.2 cm, width 6.0 cm
Who
- Culture
- Eastern Woodlands
- Creator
- Louis Charles Palin (Maker)
- Previous Owner
- Kathleen E. Reif
- Received from
- Kathleen E. Reif (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- between 1696 and 1765
- Ownership Date
- before September 9, 1993
- Acquisition Date
- on September 9, 1993
Other
- Item Classes
- metalwork
- Condition
- fair
- Current Location
- Case 45
- Accession Number
- 1590/0055