METALLIC ORNAMENTS OF NEW YORK INDIANS JJ 



those which are 6 inches in diameter, and worth as many dollars, 

 down to that of the smallest size, valued at a sixpence. Silver ear- 

 rings and finger rings of various designs, silver bracelets, hatbands 

 and crosses, are also found in their paraphernalia. These crosses, 

 relics of Jesuit influence, are frequently 8 inches in length, of solid 

 silver, and very valuable, but they are looked upon by them simply 

 in the light of ornament. Morgan, p. 386 



The last remark should be always borne in mind. The writer has 

 bought many of these ornaments of many Indians, but they were 

 without significance to them. If a meaning is suggested, they will 

 good-naturedly assent to anything; they do not think of one them- 

 selves, as Mr Morgan found. 



Apparently the brooch was an evolution from the gorget, for some 

 metallic ornaments of this kind were tied on, not buckled. Such 

 ornaments are rare, and may never have been common. As far as 

 known, they are circular, and like the brooch of that form except, in 

 the center. Fig. 17 is a silver one of this kind, having four inter- 

 lacing rings inside of the outer circle. There is no place for or sign 

 of a buckle, and it was probably tied or sewed to the garment, for 

 there is no reason to think it was suspended. This was found in 

 the town of DeWitt N. Y. and is in the Richmond collection. Fig. 

 21 is a smaller one of the same design from the Mohawk valley, 

 which belongs to Mr Frey. A large and handsome one from Ohio 

 was shown at the Pan-American Exposition. In this a slender outer 

 ring inclosed an open six pointed star, bisected by an inner circle. 

 Fig. 160 is of copper and has no central opening. It is from the 

 site of 1677 i n Pompey, and is unfortunately broken. 



Like wampum, the silver brooches partially answered the purpose 

 of money. The Onondagas often placed them in pawn, but some- 

 times parted with them at a fixed value. Some visitors at Oquaga, 

 in 1769, observed this there. " Some of the women wear silver 

 brooches, each of which passes for a shilling, and are as current 

 among the Indians as money. Brant's wife had several tier of them 

 in her dress, to the amount perhaps of 10 or 15 pounds." Halsey, 

 p. 143. That is, she wore from 200 to 300 of these; and this seems- 

 no rare example. 



