Trade Silver Earring??

[ColonialDude]

Hey folks. maybe someone can help me out here.

I found this with my detector today while hunting a revolutionary war period site. I have found British military items at this site ranging from 1730-1800.

Today, this little baby was my only find from there as I have hit the place pretty good.

It measures 1.5" long.

I could swear I have seen these in one of my native american indian artifacts books before, identified as a silver trade earring. I am pretty sure this is silver...I haven't cleaned it up however.

Any thoughts??

Wess

Ohhh...should also note I live in Ontario, Canada...and the site I found this on is right on the shore of Lake Ontario.

 

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[Postalrevnant]

I don't know if it would have been a trade earring or not. I certainly can't wait till the powers that be can say yes or no. But I have to comment that it is a unique and cool find.

Congratulations,

Postalrevnant

 

[ColonialDude]

Thanks I am almost positive it is the same as the trade earrings I have seen somewhere in the past. Hopefully someone knows for sure

 

[ColonialDude]

BUMP...doesn't take long for a post to fall to the bottom.

No ideas?

 

[ColonialDude]

solid dangle? *haha* you lost me!?

Well, after digging through my reference collection...I found my book on trade silver.

Here is a pic from that book. Unfortunately, I am missing ONE page in this book...and it happens to be the one that gives the description of these items

Anyhow...sure looks like a trade silver earring to me!?

On a sidenote...anyone interested in silver trade goods should get this book.

"North American Indian Trade Silver...The Chain of Friendship" by William H. Carter.
Excellent book!

 

[ColonialDude]

and number two in the pic is also solid bottom. Identical in that aspect to mine.

 

[Gypsy Heart]

Well they definitly look like them to me...

Hand crafted sterling silver ball and cone earrings and brooch, typical of those worn and traded during the fur trade period of the early 19th century.


http://shop.mnhs.org/moreinfo.cfm?Product_ID=791&CFID=7979&CFTOKEN=17397955

 

[ColonialDude]

His isn't a cone ...

They are solid at the bottom (tear drop?? )

HAHAH you sure are hell bent on this not being a trade silver earring huh!?
Hmmm...wish I knew the e-mail address of the author of this book I have. Then I could put this baby to rest! *LOL*

Again...if you look at the pic I posted from my book...one can clearly see that the middle one is not a cone either...but a solid piece.

Now here is a thought. This earring was found at a 1700's British military site as mentioned in my initial post. So, the earring, if from this period (which I am sure it is), is perhaps one that would not have been traded. Which goes somewhat with your theory of not trading a quality piece away.

Either way...it's an silver earring dating from the 1700's.

 

[ColonialDude]

Nah - not really. I just like solid answers - no gray area.

It doesn't matter to me - It's your earring

It could be a purple polka dotted elephant for all I care

Fair enough...I guess we will have to wait then for someone in the know to come along...because frankly..."it doesn't look like it to me" isn't a solid answer

 

[wolfpaw518]

I put my money on a teepee door knocker!

neil

 

[ColonialDude]

well feel free to send any "junk" door knockers you find to me then.

 

[Mainedigger]

Wess...you could tell me it was an ancient trade nose ring and I wouldn;t be able to give you an educated argument, so can;t help you any with an i.d. on it...but very cool find...congrats!!!

 

[dg39]

It is an interesting item. After studying the appearance and method of construction, plus the smooth bottom of the pendant, I am going to say it is of more recent origin. Not to contradict your opinion, but I have seen a lot of jewelry from the early trade days and it is too well made to be from that era. Either way congratulation on a nice find.
DG.

 

[ModernDayWarrior]

Kinda reminds me of a lead weight.

 

[ColonialDude]

It is an interesting item. After studying the appearance and method of construction, plus the smooth bottom of the pendant, I am going to say it is of more recent origin. Not to contradict your opinion, but I have seen a lot of jewelry from the early trade days and it is too well made to be from that era. Either way congratulation on a nice find.
DG.

Thanks for the reply and your thoughts. Much appreciated. I would agree that it is probably too well made to be traded to the natives...but I don't think it is too well made for that era. There are some remarkably well made pieces of jewellery from the period.

I suppose we will never know however...but I still believe it is from the 1700's. It would be too much of a coincidence, finding a reproduction, or modern made piece on this site in the woods where I have found numerous other items, military, coins, etc from the 1700's.

 

[TreasureTales]

Wess, do you have a nearby museum that could help you with the identity/age/history of this item? You wouldn't have to tell them WHERE you found it, just that you would like some info. Or you could send the photo to your Provincial Archives for info. You might learn heaps more about it than you ever dreamed!!! Good luck!

 

[ColonialDude]

Wess, do you have a nearby museum that could help you with the identity/age/history of this item? You wouldn't have to tell them WHERE you found it, just that you would like some info. Or you could send the photo to your Provincial Archives for into. You might learn heaps more about it than you ever dreamed!!! Good luck!

Very good idea actually. I should take it to the Royal Ontario Museum. I am quite sure they could give me some info. Or perhaps the "Museum of Civilization" in Ottawa. Either one would be able to help I am sure.

I will keep you posted.

Wess

 

[lucky1777]

It is an interesting item. After studying the appearance and method of construction, plus the smooth bottom of the pendant, I am going to say it is of more recent origin. Not to contradict your opinion, but I have seen a lot of jewelry from the early trade days and it is too well made to be from that era. Either way congratulation on a nice find.
DG.

I became very interested after researching this item and did a lot of reading. With what I read, I would have to disagree with with your statement of early trade jewelry not being well made. I read that the early jewelry was made by talented silversmiths and some would even be engraved. It wasn't until the late 1700s early 1800s that Indians started making jewelry for trade and it became more primitive. I am not saying this is a trade earring just telling what I read. I am looking forward to what is found out.

 

[wolfpaw518]

I have a question about all of them...how do they attach to the ear, it looks like a solid loop...what am I missing.

neil

 

[relic lover]

Given the find location and definite similarity to the book's versions who could argue? very few things are truly definite, but I would say this is 98% likely.