Copper Amulet?

[mrtwintower]

Found this item where we believe a fort was. Could this item be some sort of amulet or decorative chest piece? It is about 4-5 inches long. It seems to have about 4 places where something was attached to it. Could this have been a trade piece for indians?
Thanks for any ideas or help.

 

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[Montana Jim]

What fort from what era? A trade fort? What state?

Can you show pictures from the other side too, a little closer maybe?

 

[mrtwintower]

We found this in western minnesota. The other side is blank. I think this piece may just be something someone made with some scrap metal and tool. It seems very simple in design.

 

[deepskyal]

Couple little tack holes and places where something may have been soldered...my guess would be a key holder you hang by a door.
Just my guess.

Al

 

[capt.caveman]

North American Indians used what was called a Gorget or more commonly known as a banner stone. As the name implies these were usualy made out of stone but there has been some cases where they took traded medal and refashioned it into metal gorgets. these items were hung around the neck to denote Tribe or either station in tribe. Some archeologists say one thing some say the other. If this was a fort that traded with the Indians it might well be worth checking into. The scroll work on the front looks very Native American.

 

[trikikiwi]

Perhaps part of a ladies purse closure ?



A clearer picture might help - particularly showing the apparent attachment points.
Mike

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

North American Indians used what was called a Gorget or more commonly known as a banner stone. As the name implies these were usually made out of stone but there has been some cases where they took traded medal and refashioned it into metal gorgets. these items were hung around the neck to denote Tribe or either station in tribe. Some archaeologists say one thing some say the other. If this was a fort that traded with the Indians it might well be worth checking into. The scroll work on the front looks very Native American.

I think you got it there Captain Caveman! This is most certainly an 18th century gorget.

Here's some information regarding the gorget that General George Washington wore.

"The gorget shown in the 1772 portrait of Colonel George Washington by Charles Willson Peale, worn as part of Washington's uniform in the French and Indian War to symbolize his commission as an officer in the Virginia Regiment, was given to Josiah Quincy III in March 1813 by the granddaughter of Washington at Tudor Place. Josiah Quincy III subsequently gave the gorget to the Washington Benevolent Society of Boston.

During the 18th and early 19th centuries, crescent-shaped gorgets of silver or silver gilt were worn by officers in most European armies, both as a badge of rank and an indication that they were on duty. These last survivals of armour were much smaller (usually about three to four inches in width) than their Medieval predecessors and were suspended by chains or ribbons. In the British service they carried the Royal coat of arms until 1796 and thereafter the Royal cypher. Gorgets ceased to be worn by British army officers in 1830, and by their French counterparts 20 years later."

Very nice find mrtwintower!

Dave

 

[IronSpike]

Wouldn't it be pretty small to be a gorget

I think the size and attachment method would fit a decanter label better.

 

[mrtwintower]

Thank you guys for your great input! I had no idea they are called a gorget, so now that gives me something more to google and research. I'm sure there are other examples out there in books so that will be fun to check out.
I know this area was also a main route for traders that went from fort garry(winnipeg) to fort snelling(st.paul, MN). These traders used oxen and carts to haul furs and hides south while supplies went back north. These traders were largely of mixed blood (metis). Something like this may also have been worn by them.
Thanks again.