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Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Tiger Claw Necklace
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

Tiger Claw Necklace

Artifact IDMO 1970.29a
Object Type Necklace
Maker
Dateca. 1881
Mediumtiger claw, gold
Dimensionsoverall (unclasped) W 14 in (35.6 cm )
 overall (clasped) H 7 1/2 in x W 7 in x D 5/8 in (19.1 cm x 17.8 cm x 1.6 cm )
Physical DescriptionA necklace consisting of eight tiger claws on a long gold double chain with a gold tiger head image placed bottom center. Each claw is mounted in a gold setting with a scroll and flower design. The setting tops are flat and each has a gold loop attaching the settings to the chain.

The necklace is part of a set of tiger claw jewelry (MO 1970.29a-g) housed in an alligator-skin case.
Historical NoteEleanor Roosevelt treasured this necklace (part of a set that included a bracelet and pins) because of its connection to her father. In 1881, Elliott Roosevelt hunted tigers in India and had their claws mounted in gold as a gift to his mother. The jewelry eventually passed to Eleanor. The necklace is on display in the ELEANOR ROOSEVELT exhibit in the Museum’s FOUNDATIONS OF A PUBLIC LIFE gallery.
Additional Details
Credit LineGift of Anna Roosevelt Halsted
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesPersonal Possessions of the Roosevelt Family (National Archives Identifier 782689)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
On view
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