Metallic Ornaments of the New York Indians (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1903 Excerpt: ...with long hair, called Iroquois stuff. Garisk was a stocking, and Garisk onwe mittens. There are also names for shoes, socks, blankets, caps and suspenders. Curler (Corlaer) recorded a few words of this nature in 1635. Assire or Oggaha was cloth; Endathatste, a looking-glass; Tiggeretait, combs; Dedaiawitha, shirts; and he obtained other names for beads, wampum, caps, stockings and shoes. They had already European articles in constant use. While there were early notices of copper ornaments along the Atlantic coast, Hudson was the only one to mention them as occurring within the limits of New York. Native copper implements have often been found in the interior of the State, but early metallic ornaments are there very rare, comprising only small beads. After early trade or colonization commenced, all was quickly changed. Copper and brass arrows replaced those of flint, and steel knives those of stone. Brass kettles were lighter and stronger than those of stone and clay, and soon took their place. European beads came into request, particularly the large and artistic ones of Venice, globular or elliptic. Very long glass bugle beads were also much used, and the Jesuits brought rings and medals in abundance. Metallic bangles long disputed the field with the teeth of the bear and the elk, winning the day fully only when these animals vanished from the land. With the development of the wampum trade by the Dutch, in exchange for the prized beaver furs, shell beads and larger ornaments abounded in every Iroquois village. When the red pipestone came, a little over two centuries ago, the sphere of native ornament became greatly enlarged. Till near the close of the 17th century brass and copper delighted the Indian's soul. Then came silver ornaments, holding sway for ne...