2013 Finalist National Medal for Museum and Library Service

Collection Highlights

Ice cream dish
1877-1878
1980.14
Silver
Artist/Maker: Tiffany & Co.

Support the New-York Historical Society

Help us present groundbreaking exhibitions and develop educational programs about our nation's history for more than 200,000 schoolchildren annually.

DONATE TODAY

collections > Luce Center > Indian medal

Museum Collections

back

Luce Center

Indian medal

Indian medal
Indian medal
Indian medal
Object name 
Indian medal
Date 
ca. 1736, with alterations ca. 1750
Related People 
Artist/Maker: Unidentified maker
Medium 
Silver
Dimensions 
Overall: 2 3/16 x 1 15/16 in. ( 5.5 x 4.9 cm ) Silver Weight: 3 oz (troy) 1 dwt (95 g)
Description 
Oval cast and engraved silver medal suspended on link chain with obverse depicting facing bust-length portraits of King George II and Queen Caroline with royal crown at center above; inscription around line border: "GEORGE & CAROLINE . Kg : & Q : OF ENGLd : "; crossed olive branches below at center. Reverse bears inscription: "GANOUSSERACHERI/T'GANIATARECHOC/TSCHIGOCHGOHARONC/RACHWISTONIS/HAJINKONIS" with date below: "1750."
Credit Line 
Gift of Miss Fanny Ogden
Object Number 
1923.36
Marks 
engraved: on obverse: "GEORGE & CAROLINE. KG: & Q: of. Engld." engraved: on reverse: "GANOUSSERACHERI / T'GANIATARECHOC / TSCHIGOCHGOHARONC / RACHWISTONIS / HAJINKONIS / 1750"
Gallery Label 
According to family history, this Indian medal was presented to Major General Philip Schuyler (1733-1804) by one of the last Mohawk Indian chiefs. It was presented to them by the Provincial Government of New York in 1750 as a reward for bravery in England's wars with the French in North America. It bears the likenesses of King George II (reigned 1727-1760) and Queen Caroline (reigned 1727-1737), and is typical of those presented by the British government to Iroquois warriors for distinguished service in war.
Provenance 
Philip Schuyler (1733-1804); his son John Bradstreet Schuyler (1765-1795); his son Philip Schuyler (1788-1865); his daughter, Ruth Schuyler Ogden (1813-1901); her son Walter Ogden (b. 1848); his cousin Richard Ogden (b. 1851, son of Elizabeth Van Rensselaer Schuyler and Richard Harison Ogden); his sister Fanny Ogden (b. 1848).
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.