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This information was automatically generated from data provided by MOA: University of British Columbia. It has been standardized to aid in finding and grouping information within the RRN. Accuracy and meaning should be verified from the Data Source tab.

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

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