Contributed by Maine Historical Society
Description
Wabanaki peoples view silver gorgets, also called trade brooches, as objects of status and power. Men and women wear the trade brooches, and pass them down through generations.
Historically, both Indigenous and European silversmiths created the brooches, which were presented as diplomatic gifts and tokens of goodwill. This practice followed Indigenous traditions of reciprocity associated with wampum protocols.
A silversmith in Canada likely made this brooch, as reported by Indian agent to the Penobscot Nation, James A. Purinton, who worked at Old Town between 1860 and 1864. His daughter, Mary Purinton Putnam, gave this silver trade brooch to the Maine Historical Society.
About This Item
- Title: Silver trade brooch, ca. 1800
- Creation Date: circa 1800
- Subject Date: circa 1800
- Location: ME
- Media: Silver
- Local Code: 2420* #1
- 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 6657
Wabanaki trade brooch, ca. 1780
Item 10927
Mary Mitchell Selmore, Pleasant Point, 1901
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