Native American / First Nations, Pacific Northwest Coast, United States or Canada, Tlingit, ca. 19th century CE. An important heraldic plaque known as a "copper" made from a hammered sheet of copper with painted formline motifs- demonstrating both the wealth and heritage of the owner. The shield-like panel contains a T-shaped ridge separating the flared top from the lower panel, the upper with a grinning face with upheld hands. Weddings and potlatch celebrations consisted of feasting, singing, dances, and a show of wealth through gifts, such as coppers. Pieces might be broken off as gifts and for settling debts or conflicts and during the potlatch coppers might also be destroyed- the wealthiest chieftains would smash them to pieces as a dramatic show of wealth. This panel is intact and may have been a wedding gift, pairs of smaller panels were often given to the couple. Size: 19.5" L x 12.25" W (49.5 cm x 31.1 cm)

Please note this item falls under the Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act and is not eligible for international shipping. Native American, Alaska Native, & Native Hawaiian objects are only eligible to ship within the United States.

Provenance: private West Jordon, Utah, USA collection; ex-Folsom, California, USA collection

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#178495

Abrasions and indentation to copper, but intact. Some fading and losses to pigments, but motifs are clear and discernable. Areas of patina and toning, and areas of green oxidation.