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Fluid Functionality: An Examination Of Shifting Identities Using North American Indian German Silver Brooches At The Milwaukee Public Museum As A Case Study, Victoria Catherine Pagel

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the social lives of Woodland silver and German silver brooches

beginning in the late 18th century up to the present day using examples from the collections at the

Milwaukee Public Museum. As a popular trade item introduced by Europeans, silver brooches

provided a new medium for personal adornment in North American indigenous communities

throughout the Woodland region. Brooches were fastened on clothing as singular items and

occasionally worn in the hundreds to display wealth, status, and other aspects of identity. The

majority of brooches used for this project originate from Canada, New York, and Wisconsin.

Also included …