Pendant Item Number: 3165/1 a-b from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Round silver pendant or brooch (part a), with Tschumos (sea bear) design. Part b is a double-link silver chain. The pendant design shows a bear-like creature with two small ears above the eyes, a mouth full of teeth and a protruding tongue. Rising above the nostrils is a vertical rectangular shape detailed with three regularly spaced ovoids. The front and back legs are mirrored around both sides. The front legs start beside the eyes, with paws ending below the chin. The back legs start at the tail (upper centre) and split out to sides with paws ending beside the ears. The design covers the entrire front surface except for a thin smooth border running all the way around the edge. The empty background spaces have been darkened. There is cross-hatching on the tail and in a small area of each front leg. There are two hanging loops attached near the upper edge on the back, for the chain. There is also a wide pin clasp on the back so it can be worn as a brooch. Inscription on back reads "HAIDA ART Reid."
Iconographic Meaning
Design on brooch is based on a Charles Edenshaw design, referred to as both Ttsam aws (snag/sea bear) and Tschumos (sea bear) - variations of the same creature. Also sometimes described as a saltwater beaver.
Narrative
The father of the donor purchased the pendant/brooch directly from Bill Reid, as a gift for his wife. They knew each other from when they both worked at the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation), where Bill Reid was an announcer.
Item History
- Made by Bill Reid (Maker) in British Columbia, Canada during 1958
- Owned by Angus C. McDonald and Grace H. Park before April 24, 2016
- Received from Angus C. McDonald (Donor) and Grace H. Park (Donor) on April 24, 2016
What
- Name
- Pendant
- Identification Number
- 3165/1 a-b
- Type of Item
- pendant
- Material
- silver metal
- Part A
- height 0.4 cm, diameter 5.3 cm
Who
- Culture
- Haida
- Creator
- Bill Reid (Maker)
- Previous Owner
- Angus C. McDonald and Grace H. Park
- Received from
- Angus C. McDonald (Donor) and Grace H. Park (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- during 1958
- Ownership Date
- before April 24, 2016
- Acquisition Date
- on April 24, 2016
Other
- Item Classes
- metalwork
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 14
- Accession Number
- 3165/0001 a-b