Bracelet (Wrist band or bracelet)

Description

A silver band shaped to encircle a man’s wrist with integral molded edge borders and holes drilled to accept a strap or tie fastener. The maker’s account books record this band, which weighs a bit more than one ounce troy, as an “Indian Wrist band” and that he made at least 60 of these and 30 more of a larger size in 1796. The engraved Great Seal of the United States indicates this band was created to be presented to a Native American leader during diplomatic negotiations. This is a rare survivor and the wrist band entered Winterthur’s collection without much history. Its condition indicates that it is genuine and was worn. For context, an ad in the Charleston, South Carolina newspaper, the City Gazette and Daily Advertiser on August 12, 1794 (p. 3) recorded the ownership of a large silver arm band: "LOST, On Thursday night last, by the Humming Bird, a broad silver arm band, presented him as an ornament by the secretary of war, in Philadelphia; as the band can be of no particular use in its present form, to any person but an Indian, it is hoped whoever may be in possession of it will return it, and receive a handsome reward from Silas Dinsmoor, No. 110, Queen street, or at this printing office."