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 SMP Silver Salon Forums
 American Silver before sterling
 Indian Trade Silver
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| Author | Topic: Indian Trade Silver |
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labarbedor Posts: 353 |
posted 03-12-2003 01:36 PM
  
I thought since there was so much discussion about Indian Trade silver some people might like to see a piece. This is a “Jesuit cross” “Croix de Lorraine” or ‘dragonfly”. Whatever you want to call it, it was made by Robert Cruickshank or at least came from his shop c. 1800. The trade with Native Americans was very important part of the silversmiths trade in Canada and most of the Mississippi Valley. An enormous amount of trade items were made, usually of coin silver as the Native Americans preferred high-grade silver. Unfortunately many of these pieces have been connected with the looting of Native American graves, and many spurious items have come on the market. Nearly all the examples I have seen are fakes, and even some of those displayed in Museums. I would be very careful buying any such items. IP: Logged |
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wev Moderator Posts: 4121 |
posted 03-12-2003 04:40 PM
Lovely piece. As to quantity, Hamilton's Silver in the Fur Trade notes one order placed by the fur trader Angus Mackintosh with Cruickshank: 10 sets Gorgets 8 sets of Moons 16,000 small Brooches 5,000 large Brooches 8 large Armbands 150 Earwheels 30 large Crosses 15 Headbands 12 Hairpipes 3,000 pairs of Ear Bobs What were the hallmark regulations for such goods? Was it required on for export only items? IP: Logged |
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Stephen Posts: 625 |
posted 03-12-2003 07:42 PM
Cruickshank? IP: Logged |
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wev Moderator Posts: 4121 |
posted 03-12-2003 08:07 PM
Robert Cruikshank, born about 1759, the son of Reverend George Cruickshank of Aberbrothock. Apprenticed to Alexander Johnson at London, 04 April 1759. Free by 09 April 1766 and mark entered at Goldsmith's Hall. He was well known for using the latest technology -- plate rolling machines, die stamping presses, etc -- to produce a prodigious amount of goods from toys to trade silver to tureens from his shop on Jewery Lane. He emplyed a large staff of journeymen and workers and trained at least 7 known apprentices. He died in 1809. [This message has been edited by wev (edited 03-12-2003).] IP: Logged |
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labarbedor Posts: 353 |
posted 03-12-2003 11:16 PM
According to Langdon, Robert Cruickshank worked in England then arrived in Boston around 1767 then in Montreal around 1773. He worked and married there and finally died on a voyage in 1809. Kane's book says there was an Alexander Crouckshanks in Boston ca. 1768 and doesn't mention Robert Cruickshanks. I have more faith in her than in Langdon. IP: Logged |
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wev Moderator Posts: 4121 |
posted 03-12-2003 11:25 PM
And Jackson's records a maker's mark recorded for Cruickshank in 1773, with a piece so marked and dated 1781 in the author's collection. IP: Logged |
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vathek Posts: 966 |
posted 03-13-2003 08:27 AM
I remember seeing a similar item on antiques roadshow. Certainly there would have been no hallmark regs on pieces made in the US, I'm not sure about Canada. IP: Logged |
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labarbedor Posts: 353 |
posted 03-13-2003 09:59 AM
As far as marking regulations in Canada, there were none that I know of. The majority of Indian Trade silver was small and unmarked. Most marked pieces are from a few of the big producers, ie. Cruickshank or the Arnoldis. A lot of the phonies can be recognized by the marks, either clumsy reproductions or completely made up makers. As far as Cruickshank's amazing ability to be in two places at once. I can easily accept the 1773 date since, as I said, I doubt his presence in Boston before that date. The 1781 date would be more of a problem. He could have briefly returned to England (since at the time I think he was in partnership with the Arnoldis) or his shop (in England) could be continuing in his abscence under an associate or journeyman, Jackson could be mistaken or hey maybe Cruickshank discovered a "beam me up Scotty" transporter. Got me. IP: Logged |
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