Skip to main content
Object Number
03-9-10/62375
Display Title
Wampum belt
Descriptions
Object Description
Wampum belt. Probably a treaty belt, sloping lines signify temporary alliance. Was for treaty between Iroquois and Ojibwa of Great Lakes region. Consists of 327 rows of 6 wampum beads each. The belt is composed of purple beads with 8 designs of 4 slanting rows of white beads spaced out along its length. In places the belt shows evidence of repair where thread has been used instead of the more normal sinew. Whether these repairs were made by the Native groups or by the museum staff or other white owners is uncertain. Wampum was used as money in the past but now is used only for ceremonial purposes.
Inventory Description
Belt, purple wampum w/ diagonal white wampum stripes, tied w/ hide, sinew, strin
Classification
- Belt
Department
Ethnographic
Date
1700-1750
Culture
- Huron?
- Algonquin?
- Ojibwa?
- Mohawk?
Geography/Provenience/Site Name
North America
/
Canada
/
Ontario
Additional Geographic Terms
Timiskaming Region; Lake Constance
Dimensions
Overall: 109 x 4 cm (42 15/16 x 1 9/16 in.)
Quantity
1
Label on object
62375
Credit Line
Museum Purchase, Huntington Frothingham Wolcott Fund, 1903
Provenance
Previous owner
Previously owned by
Chief Kegonce
(Unknown)
Previous owner
Previously owned by
Andy Langdon
(Unknown)
Previous owner
Previously owned by
Grandmother or aunt of Andy Langdon
(Unknown)
Dealer
Francis West
(04/02/1903)
Collector
Francis West
(Winter of 1902-1903)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 83-34-10/30393 | Wampum Belt |
Belt
|
Maine?
New York? Quebec? | |
| 13-17-10/84626 | Wampum belt |
Belt
|
Brantford
| |
| 41-72-10/24338 | Pieces of purple wampum from fragment of an old belt |
Bead
|
New York?
| |
|
| 41-72-10/24337 | Pieces of white wampum from fragment of an old belt |
Bead
|
New York?
| |
| 985-27-10/60264 | Wampum belt. Mostly purple wampum w/ 6 diagonal white stripes. |
Belt
|
Maine
| |
| 13-9-10/85339 | Wampum Beads |
Bead
|
North America
| |
| 99-12-10/53011 | String of purple wampum |
Bead
|
United States
| |
| 2004.29.6089 | Iroquois Wampum belts at Onondaga |
New York
| ||
| 46-78-10/28121 | Purple Wampum ornament |
Bead
|
North America
| |
| 90-17-10/51063 | Quahog shell for making wampum |
Shell
|
Great Shell heap
| |
| 46-78-10/28122 | Wampum ornament |
Bead
|
North America
| |
| 15-22-10/86069 | Wampum Wrist Ornament |
Ornament
|
New York
Maine |