Pendant (Trade pendant)

Description

This pendant depicts a beaver in the posture of a pelt rather than a naturalistic pose, indicating its importance to the fur trade exchange between Native Americans and Europeans. Early silversmiths in Montreal, Canada and other urban areas engaged in the trade produced light ornaments that Native Americans appreciated and sewed onto clothing, necklaces, or other items. Such items are often called trade silver. Daniel East worked as a silversmith in Lancaster, Pennsylvania where he supplied local merchants such as Joseph Simon with small items.