Canada | British Columbia | Queen Charlotte Islands
Culture Area
Northwest Coast Culture Area
Section
American
Materials
Copper | Pigment
Description
Ceremonial Copper. The form which is legendary represents the sea grizzly bear. These plaques were used as money; they were frequently given as pledges for the payment of debts - particularly war debts; the value is 8 male slaves. The pure copper welding is evidence of the age of the specimen.
Williams, Lucy F. Guide to the North American Ethnographic Collection at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, 2003. See: p. 38, pl. 31
