Description: 1795 American Indian Peace Gorget. Obverse: Untested sterling silver. Fancy hand engraved "crossed cannons with spears (representing Indian tribes)" above seal. Hallmarked "JR" silversmith (from "A List of Early American Silversmiths and Their Marks" by Hollis French, Smithsonian Institution 1918). Two fancy brass handmade keepers. Material overall is handmade beaten copper (sterling silver seal). Reverse: No lettering or markings. Size 6" x 6". Please see high-definition photos.More research added thankfully by contributing researcher: "Intrigued by the gorget made, as per Smithsonian identification, by Newburyport silversmith E. Davis. I assume that would be Ellias Davis. That raises two questions. 1) the artisan would have been about 18 years old; 2) comparison between his "E D" mark and the one on the gorget are slightly different. Quite striking is the difference between the folk-art style engraved design, incl. the date, and the sophisticated royal arms, etc. One possible explanation is that the heart and crucifix were engraved later, perhaps by an Indigenous warrior, most likely from a French Catholic Indian mission village in Quebec (Kahnewake, Odanak ?), and that the gorget was a trophy from a British officer slain in combat during the 1764 British campaign against an Indigenous alliance in the greater Ohio area led by Pontiac. In short, the artifact's history may be more complicated? I wonder it came into the possession of the (Somers Mountain Indian Museum or Somers Historical Museum?)".Very few of these authentic English gorgets are ever offered for sale. Museum quality, Provenance: originally from the Somers, Connecticut Museum (circa 1970). Most likely "1 of a kind" survivor outside of any museum or private collection. 258 years of survival. Free USPS priority shipping, signature required. Upon Receipt, 2 Week 100% money back guarantee (minus shipping and handling) if not as described.Indian war gorgets refer to ovular "medals" awarded to tribal leaders, for services rendered, throughout British and colonial America and early United States history, primarily made ranging in diameter from about one to six inches. Gorgets were often perforated and worn suspended around the neck of the recipient. Controversy remains surrounding the use and impact of gorgets in furthering diplomatic relationships between Native Americans and any colonial government, in this case the British government. Many British and American Indian gorgets are rare and today are archived in museums, libraries, and cultural centers.
Price: 1800 USD
Location: Thousand Oaks, California
End Time: 2024-09-24T21:36:56.000Z
Shipping Cost: 0 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 14 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Circulated/Uncirculated: Circulated
Composition: Untested Sterling Silver
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
Modified Item: No
