Napkin Ring Item Number: 3260/197 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Carved silver napkin ring with otter design. Its body extends around the ring, with scroll-work in the background. Fine crosshatching in the negative spaces. Both edges have a border of short, slightly diagonal, lines all the way around.
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.
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
- Napkin Ring
- Identification Number
- 3260/197
- Type of Item
- ring
- Material
- silver metal
- Overall
- height 3.6 cm, diameter 4.0 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
- fair
- Accession Number
- 3260/0197