Beaver Pendant Item Number: 1590/33 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
A cast beaver with crosshatching on tail. Paw markings, ring in nose and maker's mark in cartouche stamped on the back.
History Of Use
Initially, the main sources of silver were British, French, and Spanish coins. Most ornaments were produced by silversmiths of European origin in North America and Europe. By the mid-18th century silver objects were produced in New England, Quebec and Montreal. Animal imagery is a significant part of woodland first nations tradition, but no documented instance has been found of the use of animal effigies in trade. The place of effigies in woodlands culture is not known.
Cultural Context
personal ornamentation
Item History
- Made by Thomas Powis (Maker) in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada between 1760 and 1821
- Owned by Kathleen E. Reif before September 9, 1993
- Received from Kathleen E. Reif (Donor) on September 9, 1993
What
- Name
- Beaver Pendant
- Identification Number
- 1590/33
- Type of Item
- pendant
- Material
- brass metal
- Manufacturing Technique
- cast, stamped and polished
- Overall
- height 0.6 cm, width 3.1 cm
Who
- Culture
- Eastern Woodlands
- Creator
- Thomas Powis (Maker)
- Previous Owner
- Kathleen E. Reif
- Received from
- Kathleen E. Reif (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- between 1760 and 1821
- Ownership Date
- before September 9, 1993
- Acquisition Date
- on September 9, 1993
Other
- Item Classes
- metalwork
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 1590/0033