Copper Item Number: A8059 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Copper made from several pieces of metal that have been riveted together and has a dark grey patina overall. The bottom section of the copper is rectangular with a slight peak at the centre of the bottom edge. This section is divided in half by a slightly raised vertical band, and is divided from the top section by a slightly raised horizontal band. The top section has side edges that flare outwards from the base and the top edge has a peak at the centre. The top section is also slightly convex. A face is scratched into the dark grey patina with the round eyes and nose slightly embossed.

History Of Use

Coppers can be named, displayed, and transferred in accordance with ceremonial privilege and protocol. Historically, within potlatch economies, coppers would rise in value each time they were purchased, ceremonially presented, and strategically re-sold or given away. Among the Kwakwaka’wakw, coppers were sometimes cut or broken during rivalries. Some of these were riveted together and used again, their value then having to be re-established.

Cultural Context

status; wealth; ceremonial; potlatch

Item History

What

Name
Copper
Identification Number
A8059
Type of Item
copper
Material
copper metal
Manufacturing Technique
painted, riveted, hammered and incised
Overall
height 54.3 cm, width 30.7 cm, depth 1.8 cm

Who

Culture
Kwakwaka'wakw
Previous Owner
Dorothy Caldwaller and Edith Bevan Cross
Received from
Edith Bevan Cross (Seller) and H. R. MacMillan (Funding source)

Where

Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
Made in
British Columbia, Canada
Collected in
Fort Rupert, British Columbia, Canada and Tsaxis, British Columbia, Canada

When

Collection Date
between 1950 and 1962
Ownership Date
before July 30, 1962
Acquisition Date
on July 30, 1962

Other

Item Classes
metalwork
Condition
poor
Current Location
Case 27
Accession Number
0081/0006