Fragment: Copper Item Number: A6574 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Copper fragment that appears to be a piece from the upper right-hand corner and is composed of two pieces of copper joined together with metal rivets. One inch wide incised border on two sides. Copper has very faint incised designs. Hole punched through in the center.
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.
Narrative
Possibly part of a copper which was broken ceremonially.
Cultural Context
status; wealth; ceremonial; potlatch
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada between 1800 and 1900
- Owned by R. K. Vivian before September 1956
- Received from R. K. Vivian (Donor) during September 1956
What
- Name
- Fragment: Copper
- Identification Number
- A6574
- Type of Item
- copper
- Material
- copper metal
- Manufacturing Technique
- beaten and incised
- Overall
- height 33.4 cm, width 23.0 cm, depth 1.3 cm
Who
- Culture
- Kwakwaka'wakw
- Previous Owner
- R. K. Vivian
- Received from
- R. K. Vivian (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- between 1800 and 1900
- Ownership Date
- before September 1956
- Acquisition Date
- during September 1956
Other
- Item Classes
- metalwork
- Condition
- poor
- Accession Number
- 2101/0001