Napkin Ring
About this object
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.
Physical description
Carved silver napkin ring with otter design. Its body extends around the ring, with scroll-work in the background. Fine crosshatching in the negative spaces. Both edges have a border of short, slightly diagonal, lines all the way around.
Date Made
C. 1860-1876
Date Acquired
12 Aug 2017
How Acquired
Donated
Credit Line
Measurements
Overall: 3.6 cm x 4 cm
Object Number
3260/197