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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 Bracelet
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

Tiger Claw Bracelet

Artifact IDMO 1970.29b
Object Type Bracelet
Maker (American, founded 1837)
Mediumtiger claw, gold
Dimensionsoverall (clasped) H 5 in x W 6 in (12.7 cm x 15.2 cm )
 overall (unclasped) W 8 in x D 1/2 in (20.3 cm x 1.3 cm )
Physical DescriptionA bracelet consisting of eight tiger claws tipped in gold and hung from an 8" long bracelet of twisted gold chain with a tiger head image attached at the center. Each claw is mounted in a gold settings with a leaf design. The setting tops are rounded and each has a gold loop attaching the settings to the chain.

The bracelet is part of a set of tiger claw jewelry (MO 1970.29a-g) housed in an alligator-skin case. The original bracelet from the set was apparently lost, and this one is a modern replica made by Tiffany & Co.
Historical NoteEleanor Roosevelt treasured this bracelet (part of a set that included a necklace 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 bracelet 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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