Red Slate Gorget
Over forty years after the 1704 raid on Deerfield, Massachusetts, Eunice Kanenstenhawi Williams and her Kanienkehaka (Mohawk) husband, Arosen, visited New England. Eunice, a captive from the 1704 raid, had become an adopted member of the Kanienkehaka nation. During their visit, Eunice and Arosen reportedly gave Eunice's brother, the Reverend Stephen Williams, this red slate gorget. Long out of use by the 18th century, stone gorgets like this one may have been curated by Native Americans as ancient objects with special meaning. Typically made during the Late Archaic and Early Woodland periods, their exact function is uncertain. It is generally presumed that they were worn around the neck. The term “gorget” has been adopted due to their similarity to the European gorget, a metal chest plate for protecting warriors and knights in combat.
Date: 3000 B.C.E - 0 B.C.E.
Topic: Personal
Materials: Red slate
Dimensions: H: 4.75 in.(12 cm.), W: 2.25 in.(5.7 cm.)
Accession #: 1985.0716