Iroquois Silverwork

Europeans introduced silver ornaments as trade items in the 1700s. Silversmiths in both Europe and colonial America used traditional "old world" designs and shapes, which the Haudenosaunee adapted to fit their own values. By the end of the 1700s, members of the 6 Nations began making their own silver ornaments.

Brooches became a favorite type of silver adornment for Haudenosaunee/6 Nations people. Women, in particular, liked to decorate their garments with them--some wore as many as 200-300 brooches at one time. They remain a treasured decoration today.

Brooches come in a variety of sizes and designs. The example shown here, known as "Council Fire", is based on the Masonic emblem which the Haudenosaunee have turned upside down. Some state that this Masonic-style brooch's popularity was in part due to the fact that several 6 Nations leaders (including Ely Parker, Red Jacket, Cornplanter, and Joseph Brant) were Masons.