Breastplate Item Number: 1590/285 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Large metal breastplate with three horizontal pieces of metal that connect to two vertical pieces of metal on either side. The top horizontal piece has an incised scalloped design, three cut-out diamond designs in the centre, and two cut-out heart shapes at the ends. The middle horizontal piece has three cut-out heart shaped designs that alternate with two cut-out oval-shaped designs. The bottom horizontal piece has eight staggered cut-out triangular-shaped pieces. Small beaver pendants hang from the bottom of each row. The horizontal lines are separated with two large cut-out heart designs that cut-out crosses in the centre. The vertical pieces have cut-out oval-shaped designs on them.
History Of Use
Breastplate or cradle cover. Early European settlers brought with them breastplates and open-helmets with gorgets as protection against arrows (reference Hamilton, page 69). The collector, Reif, referred to this piece as a breastplate, quoting the National Museum of Man “Canada’s Visual History”, Series 1, vol. 6, Item 30, but also acknowledged that it is considered by some to be a cradle cover.
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.
Narrative
At a time of intense competition for furs, the North West Company was formed in 1784 by a number of independent trading groups. By 1821 this Company faced bankruptcy and merged with the Hudson’s Bay Company.
Item History
- Made by Pierre dit Latour Huguet (Manufacturer) in Montreal, Quebec, Canada between 1760 and 1821
- Owned by Kathleen E. Reif before September 9, 1993
- Received from Kathleen E. Reif (Donor) on September 9, 1993
What
- Name
- Breastplate
- Identification Number
- 1590/285
- Type of Item
- breastplate
- Material
- silver alloy metal
- Manufacturing Technique
- repousse, riveted, engraved, punched, stamped, polished, cut and hammered
- Overall
- height 6.5 cm, width 38.3 cm
Who
- Culture
- Eastern Woodlands
- Creator
- Pierre dit Latour Huguet (Manufacturer)
- Previous Owner
- Kathleen E. Reif
- Received from
- Kathleen E. Reif (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Montreal, Quebec, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- between 1760 and 1821
- Ownership Date
- before September 9, 1993
- Acquisition Date
- on September 9, 1993
Other
- Item Classes
- metalwork
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 45
- Accession Number
- 1590/0285