gorget, moon

gorget, moon

gorget, moon

top image
Images
Nation of Maker: Odawa
Place of Origin: Ottawa, ON
Date Made or Date Range: 1801
Materials

silver, engraved

Techniques or Format

Circular silver pectoral with two holes for suspension.

Motifs and Patterns

The convex face is engraved with a figure of a bear, an inscription, and a zigzag engraved line around the perimeter. Inscribed on face: MATCHIWITA/ 1801 Benchmark: J. T. Montreal.

Additional Context

The bear may be a totemic symbol, indicating that it was a gift from a fur trader to a specific person (CW). AC mentions that chiefs were often given gorgets or medals to encourage them to go to war. (It was made in Montreal?) It is speculated that a chief might go to Montreal to have a gorget engraved, or a fur trader might have several engraved for personalized gifts to his contacts along his trade route (DP and CW).

Other Notes

Remarks on inscriptions: Matchiwita, an Ottawa chief, was one of the signers of the Treaty of Greenville, 1795. The initials, "J. T." may be those of Joseph Tyson.

Dimensions: 0 × 0 × 0.5 in
Condition: Blackening on the front shows a weave pattern, indicating that the piece was wrapped in a cloth.
Current Location: Detroit Institute of Arts, MI, USA
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: 81.189
Date of Acquisition by the Institution: 1981
Who the Institution Acquired the Relative or Heritage Item From: Richard A. Pohrt
Collection Narratives and Histories

Formerly in the collection of: Lynn Munger, Freemont, Indiana. Collected by Lynn Munger from a family (Mrs. Hugh A. Graham) in Traverse City, Michigan.

GKS Reference Number: 26387
Approximate Place of Origin

45.4215, -75.6919

Do You Have Knowledge to Contribute? Share with Us.