Collection Highlights
Speech of His Excellency George Washington, Esq; president of the United States of America, delivered to the Honorable the Congress
Date:
Object Number:
LIB.SY.1789.39
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Museum Collections
Luce Center
Museum of the American Indian medal
Object Number:
1958.79
Date:
1947
Medium:
Gold; leather, silk, paper
Dimensions:
case: 4 1/4 x 4 1/4 x 7/8 in. ( 10.8 x 10.8 x 2.2 cm )
diameter: 2 5/16 in. ( 5.8 cm )
Marks:
Inscription: edge, lower center: "TIFFANY&CO. MAKER 14K GOLD M"
Inscription: case lid, inside, center, imprinted in gold: "TIFFANY & CO/NEW YORK"
Description:
Gold struck medal with obverse showing buffalo surrounded by Native American attributes and symbols; legend: "MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN/HEYE FOUNDATION/1916." Reverse is inscribed: "TO/JOSEPH KEPPLER/'GYANTWAKA"/VICE PRESIDENT/1916-1947/WITH APPRECIATION/OF HIS/INTEREST AND ACTIVITIES/THE/BOARD OF TRUSTEES." Square dark brown leather fitted case with dark red silk velvet and silk satin lining. Accompanying document enclosed.
Gallery Label:
This medal was awarded to Joseph (Udo) Keppler, Jr., best known for his career as a poltiical cartoonist. Keppler, Jr., was an activist for Native Americans and a collector of Native American art. The Seneca Nation named him honorary chief with the name "Gy-ant-wa-ka." Keppler, Jr., was friends with George Heye and helped found the Heye Foundation's Museum of the American Indian in 1916.
Credit Line:
Gift of Mrs. Joseph Keppler Jr.
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
