Skip to main content
Object Number
13-9-10/85339
Display Title
Wampum Beads
Descriptions
Object Description
Wampum. Set of two strings of very large purple wampum beads tied together at one end. The first of these strings is 29 cm long and the other is 33 cm long. Neither the strings themselves nor the knot that unites them are ornamented with additional materials. Of interest in this piece is the large size of the wampum beads themselves. They range from 7 to 19 mm in length and from 4 to 5 mm in diameter. Beads of similiar size occur, but this large size is quite rare in the Peabody collection. Whether the size of these beads affected their nature and function in Native society is unknown, but there is no evidence that they functioned differently than their smaller counterparts. Wampum was used as money in the past but now is used only for ceremonial purposes.
Inventory Description
Beads, large purple and white swirled wampum, tubular, 2 strands tied together
Classification
- Bead
Department
Ethnographic
Date
19th century
Culture
- Algonquian?
- Mohawk?
Geography/Provenience/Site Name
North America
Additional Geographic Terms
Eastern Woodlands
Materials
Shell
Dimensions
Overall: 1.8 x 0.4 x 0.4 cm (11/16 x 3/16 x 3/16 in.)
Quantity
37
Label on object
85339
Provenance
Dealer
Grace A. Nicholson
(1913)
Donor
Mr. Lewis Hobart Farlow
(01/01/1913)
Important Note about Historical Language
Collections records may contain language, reflecting past collecting practices and methods of analysis, that is no longer acceptable. The Peabody Museum is committed to addressing the problem of offensive and discriminatory language present in its database. Our museum staff are continually updating these records, adding to and improving content. We welcome your feedback and any questions or concerns you may want to share. Please email us with your comments.
| PrimaryMedia | Object Number | Title | Classification | Geography/Provenience | SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 46-78-10/28121 | Purple Wampum ornament |
Bead
|
North America
| |
| 12-37-10/84216 | Wampum necklace |
Bead
|
North America
| |
| 46-78-10/28122 | Wampum ornament |
Bead
|
North America
| |
| 06-4-10/65748 | Condolence string of Wampum |
Bead
|
Erie County
| |
| 99-12-10/53011 | String of purple wampum |
Bead
|
United States
| |
| 13-17-10/84626 | Wampum belt |
Belt
|
Brantford
| |
| 90-17-10/51063 | Quahog shell for making wampum |
Shell
|
Great Shell heap
| |
| 19-22-10/93600A | String of purple wampum |
Bead
|
Maine
| |
| 41-72-10/24338 | Pieces of purple wampum from fragment of an old belt |
Bead
|
New York?
| |
| 38-44-10/12912 | Pieces of wampum showing process of manufacture |
Accessory
|
North America
| |
| 985-27-10/60265C | String of wampum, 1 of 7 |
Bead
|
Maine
| |
| 99-12-10/53012 | String of wampum |
Bead
|
United States
|