Copper currency shield

Native American

British Museum

Copper currency shield from the North West coast of America. On the upper portion is painted a figure of the bear in the highly conventional style of the region. The outlines are emphasised by incised lines, apparently executed at a later date. Such shields formed a very valuable unit of wealth in former times.

• Medium: copper
• Dimensions: 84 x 70 cm
• ArtFunded in: 1929
• Presented by Anonymous through The Art Fund

Provenance

Haidia chief's family, Massett, Queen Charlotte Islands.

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