Silver gorget of the type issued to Native American Chiefs, 1814

Manufactured by Cocks and Bettridge of Birmingham., 1814.

Although this example was made in 1814, the design of this gorget is more typical of the 1770s. Gorgets of this type were issued to Native American Chiefs known as 'Gorget Captains' who were appointed to serve in the British Army during the American War of Independence (1775-1783).

Because their lands were threatened by expanding colonial settlements, many Native Americans fought with the British. The latter had protected these lands and restricted colonial expansion beyond the Appalachian Mountains. The largest group to enlist were the Iroquois Confederacy that included the famous Mohawk tribe.

Gorgets were originally pieces of armour designed to protect the throat, but by the 18th century, they had become much smaller and were worn by officers as a badge of rank and an indication that they were on duty.