The Silver Hand: Authenticating the Alaska Native Art, Craft and Body

Author: Moore, Emily

Source: The Journal of Modern Craft, Volume 1, Number 2, July 2008 , pp. 197-219(23)

Publisher: Berg Publishers

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Abstract:

Since 1972, the Silver Hand has been the State of Alaska's official authentication program for Alaska Native arts and crafts. This paper examines the Silver Hand in the context of a twentieth-century lineage of authenticity regulations for Alaska Native hand-made goods, emphasizing the importance of the Native body to constructions of authenticity. The paper also considers the most recent proposals for the Silver Hand to authenticate Alaska Native 'art' rather than 'craft.'" Regardless of changes in taxonomies or legislation, however, the Native body remains the primary measure of authenticity for Alaska Native goods. N.B.: On April 10, 2008, while this writing was in press, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin signed into law the new Silver Hand legislation in Senate Bill 97. All proposals discussed in this paper will become Alaska State law on July 9, 2008.

Keywords: SILVER HAND; ALASKA NATIVE; AUTHENTICITY; HANDICRAFT; NATIVE ART

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.2752/174967808X325505

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