Photographs (left to right): Anhinga, Everglades, FL; Milkweed Seed, Mendon Ponds, NY; Plover, FL

Wampum Belts With Provenience Archive

 

1754 Covenant Chain Belt

(also called The Great Belt)

Reproduction

Couresty of Duane Schrecengost

 

Original Size:	Not Given
Reproduction:	Beaded Length: 6 feet 4.0 inches. Width: 10.25 inches. Rows 21.
Beads:	Hasler's reproduction above - glass tube bead.
Materials:	Warp: hemp. Weft: artificial sinew.
Insured:

Description:

In 1754 a congress was called at Albany to renew the Covenant Chain with the Iroquois Confederacy. Attending were 9 governors which are represented by the solid wampum figures to the left, and the 6 tribes of the Iroquois represented by the open wampum figures to the right. In the center is a heart which represents the unity and joining of the colonials with their Iroquois brothers under the protection of British King George II depicted with the royal "GR" cipher. This would have been a belt made for, and presented to the Iroquois as a gift and record of the Albany congress (Hasler's description).

The above is a modern reproduction.

Reference:

Dave Hasler: http://www.woodlandwampum.com/historicbelts.html

War That Made America book.