Description

A necklace of a large oval pendant and six smaller beavers separated by groupings of cylindrical glass beads, red beads with white centres, and red-and-white beads. The pendant and the beavers are strung with hide and wire. The arrangement of the beads between the beavers and between the pendant and the beavers on either side is one red-and-white, one red, four white, one red, one red-and-white. Pendant has an uneven raised edge and a central beaver figure. Above are a few branches, below and to the left of which are maker’s marks.

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.

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.

Specific Techniques

Repousse is a type of ornamentation formed in relief in metal by hammering up from the reverse or inner side.

Cultural Context

trade; personal decoration; status