Necklace Item Number: 1590/300 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Necklace of beads, eight beavers and a George Washington Peace Medal. Necklace strung on string. The pattern starting from the centre back to the medal at bottom centre is one clear bead, one red, one clear, 26 mottled red, a beaver, one blue, three red repeated three times, followed by one blue bead and four red. The medal is oval. Engraved on it is a tree with a First Nations man with pipe and a man of European descent. Engraved below is “George Washington, President 1793”. On the back of the medal is coat-of-arms of the United States, together with engraved motto “e pluribus unum”. Maker’s mark stamped at bottom of medal. Maker’s mark also stamped on each beaver.
History Of Use
Silver First Nations peace medals first produced by British, Spanish, French. Earliest American peace medals produced in 1789. Medals presented to important First Nations people on occasions such as treaty signing, also given to First Nations representatives visiting national capital or given away by Indian Agents on the frontiers. Medals over time became a requisite part of dealings with First Nations and Government officials. Possession of a medal indicated rank and distinction.
Cultural Context
trade; personal decoration; status
Item History
- Made by Joseph Richardson Jr. (Maker) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA between 1793 and 1821
- Owned by Kathleen E. Reif before September 9, 1993
- Received from Kathleen E. Reif (Donor) on September 9, 1993
What
Who
- Culture
- Eastern Woodlands
- Creator
- Joseph Richardson Jr. (Maker)
- Previous Owner
- Kathleen E. Reif
- Received from
- Kathleen E. Reif (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
When
- Creation Date
- between 1793 and 1821
- Ownership Date
- before September 9, 1993
- Acquisition Date
- on September 9, 1993
Other
- Item Classes
- metalwork
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 1590/0300