Bracelet Item Number: 3260/181 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Coin silver bracelet with double killer whale design, covering outer surface except for a very thin border. Two whales facing each other at centre, noses not quite touching. Tails go out to each end. Crosshatched background. The bracelet has squared ends, with two hook clasps and corresponding slots.
History Of Use
Metalwork has a long history in copper and iron on the Northwest Coast. Silver and gold American coins—from which the early Haida bracelets were made—were scarce along the Northwest Coast until the 1860s. Ginaawaan would have been one of the first generation of silversmiths, as he was already accomplished by his death in 1876.
Narrative
Purchased by donor from a 2013 Heffel Canadian Art auction in Toronto, previously from a private collection in California.
Specific Techniques
The artist would have hammered out the silver or gold coins, or first melted them into ingots, and then engraved them.
Item History
- Made by Duncan Ginaawaan (Maker) in Alaska, USA between 1860 and 1876
- Owned by Elspeth McConnell before August 12, 2017
- Received from Elspeth McConnell (Donor) on August 12, 2017
What
- Name
- Bracelet
- Identification Number
- 3260/181
- Type of Item
- bracelet
- Material
- silver metal
- Overall
- height 3.2 cm, width 7.0 cm, depth 6.2 cm
Who
- Culture
- Haida: Kaigani
- Creator
- Duncan Ginaawaan (Maker)
- Previous Owner
- Elspeth McConnell
- Received from
- Elspeth McConnell (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Alaska, USA
When
- Creation Date
- between 1860 and 1876
- Ownership Date
- before August 12, 2017
- Acquisition Date
- on August 12, 2017
Other
- Item Classes
- metalwork
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 3260/0181