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

Tiger Claw Pin

Artifact IDMO 1970.29g
Object Type Pin
Dateca. 1881
Mediumtiger claw, gold, diamond
Dimensionsoverall H 2 1/4 in x W 2 3/8 in x D 7/8 in (5.7 cm x 6 cm x 2.2 cm )

Physical DescriptionA pin made of two tiger claws joined together by a gold mounting in the middle. The mounting has an incised design and at the center is a gold tiger head image, the eyes of which are fitted with very small diamonds.

The pin is part of a group of tiger claw jewelry (MO 1970.29a-g) housed in an alligator-skin case.
Historical NoteEleanor Roosevelt treasured this pin (part of a set that included a necklace and bracelet) 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 pin 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
Use Restriction StatusUnrestricted
CopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
On view
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