Description

Hollow copper turtle; hole at top of head; eyes incised; holes in hind legs; plates incised with lines and scallops in rocker fashion; two cartouches on body, one with maker's mark, the other the company mark; cartouches surrounded by squiggly circles. Eyes incised.

History Of Use

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.

Windsor dealth with the XY Company. In 1798 a group of Montreal traders formed the New North West Company to compete wit the North West Company (NWC). The former was dubbed the XY Company after the insignia on its kegs and bales of furs. When former NWC partner, Alexander Mackenzie, joined the XY Company, the name was changed to Alexander Mackenzie and Company. In 1804 the two companies merged under the NorthWest Company name. Newman, Peter Co. "Empire of the Bay", Viking 1985.

Specific Techniques

Rocker engraving is a narrow band of engraving done freehand. Irregularity is characteristic.

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.