Images(3)

Indian trade wrist bands (pair)

Dateca. 1795

Marked by Joseph Richardson Jr. (1752 - 1831)

OriginAmerica, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

MediumSilver

Dimensions1. OH: 2 1/2"; Diam: 2 5/16" 2. OH: 2 1/2"; Diam: 2 3/8"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number2010-70,1&2

DescriptionSilver wrist bands: Pair of silver wrist bands fashioned from a single brokedn arm band. Each wristband of C-shape or cuff form with two circular holes for leather lacing punched in each rounded end. Long edges of each cuff bordered with a molded raised band flanked with narrower raised bands. A series of stylized relief scallop shells project from inner border at top and bottom of each cuff. Cuff #1 engraved with an American eagle with shield; eagle clutches arrows and olive branch and is surrounded by fifteen punched stars.
Label TextWritten records document that Joseph Richardson, Jr. produced large quantities of silver for trade with Native Americans, but few of these objects survive today. Silver jewelry and badges were used to seal alliances between the nascent government of the United States and the original inhabitants of Britain’s American colonies. This pair of wristbands was originally fashioned as a single, larger armband, worn around the upper arm and secured with leather ties. When the armband split, it was remade into the wristbands seen here.

MarkingsMarked "JR" in relief in a rectangle on inside of band

Exhibition(s)