Bracelet

MOA: University of British Columbia

3261/39

Coin silver bracelet with engraving covering outer surface. American eagle design, with open wings. The bracelet has squared ends with one hook clasp and a corresponding slot.

  • History Of Use

    Metalwork has a long history in copper and iron on the Northwest Coast. Silver and gold American coins—from which the early Haida bracelets were made—were scarce along the Northwest Coast until the 1860s. Ginaawaan would have been one of the first generation of silversmiths, as he was already accomplished by his death in 1876.

  • Specific Techniques

    The artist would have hammered out the silver or gold coins, or first melted them into ingots, and then engraved them. A number of the bracelets from the late 19th century show imagery reflecting Euro/American influences of the time, such as the American eagle, or foliate motifs.


  • Type of Item bracelet
  • Culture Kaigani
  • Material silver metal
  • Measurements height 2.9 cm, width 6.8 cm, depth 5.6 cm (overall)

  • Creator Duncan Ginaawaan
  • Previous Owner Elspeth McConnell
  • Received from Elspeth McConnell

  • Made in Alaska

  • Creation Date between 1860 and 1876
  • Ownership Date before April 12, 2018
  • Acquisition Date on April 12, 2018

  • Item Classes metalwork
  • Condition good
  • Accession Number 3261/0039