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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.

Description

Copper made from several sheets of metal joined together with metal rivets. The rectangular base is formed by two pieces of metal joined with another piece with a ridge that runs vertically up the centre. These three pieces are joined to the top section by another strip of metal with a ridge that runs across horizontally. The top section has sides that flare outwards towards the top, which has a curved edge. The top section is also slightly convex. The copper has a blackened surface overall and is painted with a green border around the top section, which also has the stylized face of a sea bear in green paint with areas of bare copper showing through the blackened surface. The bottom section is painted with four pairs of green diagonal lines.

Cultural Context

status; wealth; ceremonial; potlatch

Narrative

The deep incision on the upper right indicates that the copper might once have been "killed" during a ceremony at which rights were transferred.