Contributed by Maine Historical Society
Description
Wabanaki people traded furs for silver and other goods, as did many other Indigenous Nations in what is currently the northeastern United States, starting with contact between Indigenous peoples and Europeans.
Wabanakis bought or traded for silver, and the silversmiths incorporated designs using Indigenous motifs in jewelry made for trade. Wabanaki artists also made trade brooches, sometimes called gorgets. The double curve design on this brooch is a very old Wabanaki design, still used in 2024.
James A. Purinton, Indian Agent serving at Old Town between 1860 and 1864 had this silver trade brooch in his collection.
About This Item
- Title: Wabanaki trade brooch, ca. 1780
- Creation Date: circa 1780
- Subject Date: circa 1780
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Locations:
- Old Town, Penobscot County, ME
- NB, Canada
- Media: Silver alloy
- Dimensions: 19 cm x 19 cm
- Local Code: 2420* #3
- Object Type: Physical Object
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For more information about this item, contact:
Maine Historical Society485 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 774-1822 x230
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Use of this Item is not restricted by copyright and/or related rights, but the holding organization is contractually obligated to limit use. For more information, please contact the contributing organization. However, watermarked Maine Memory Network images may be used for educational purposes.
More to Consider
Item 10927
Mary Mitchell Selmore, Pleasant Point, 1901
Item 25043
Silver trade brooch, ca. 1800
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