Trade silver grew out of the need for traders to supply the decorative needs of their clients. The popularity of Jesuit rings and other religious trinkets such as crosses showed the importance that personal adornment played in the lives of Native Americans, and traders would aid in Native affectation by selling all manner of adornment items, including trade silver.
One of the most varied and enduring forms of trade silver was the assorted animal charm. Turtles, beavers, otters, entwined snakes and countless other animal forms began appearing around the later half of the 18th century and going well into the 19th century. The later trade pieces represented no specific purpose other than the idea perhaps of giving Native customers specialized merchandise with which they could readily identify. The pieces shown here are from the 19th century, and at least one, the brass turtle, is a Hudson's Bay exclusive.
Bruce Nail, January 2002
Click on an image
to see it close up.
Not all of the pieces traded on the frontier were necklace charms. Clothing brooches were decorative pieces of jewelry that fastened to clothing by the use of a securing pin. They were very popular in the 19th century, and this was also reflected in the fur trade.
The earliest brooches were simple ring types that resemble silver rings (wedding bands). As the trade progressed, so did the sophistication of the brooches. European influences can be seen throughout the sample of brooches displayed here. The harp brooch, the double hearts, and the crowned hearts all show strong Scottish influence, which might shed some light on the interests and background of the traders and craftsmen who distributed these items.
Bruce Nail, January 2002
Click on a brooch to
see it close up.
Hudson's Bay Gorget (Pronounced "Gorzhay")
The gorget was a European symbol of authority. It was warn around the necks of military officers, and is believed to be a vestige of knightly armor, that armor worn to protect the throat.
It is not unconceivable that Native leadership be desirous of such an ornate decoration as a military gorget. The obvious symbolism of the military versions were combined with elaborately adorned coats of arms and crests made them striking pieces of adornment.
Again, it did not take long for this piece of decoration to find its way into the trade. Several trade survive that depict traditional Native images.
Click on picture to
see it up close.
This one piece was made specifically for the Hudson's Bay Company, and it evey says as much on the face of it. It is unique in that this gorget supplies a matching chain. Many gorgets relied on a ribbon or such to be tied around the neck. The year for this piece is unknown, but the fashion of wearing gorgets died out around the mid 19th century.
Bruce Nail, January 2002
