Respecting My Ancestors Bentwood Box
Availability: Only 1 available
Red Cedar wood, Yellow Cedar wood, Abalone shell, Cedar rope, Acrylic paint
“The 4 Chilkat Faces on the side of the box lid., touch on our Tlingit ancestry through our great,great,great,great grandmother Anisalaga, who was a Chilkat Blanket weaver. The faces are stylized after faces seen on Chilkat blankets, and also represent our ancestors. The split Maxinukw, or Killer Whale design represents one of the main crests of my fathers tribe, the Namgis, our people believe some of our chiefs, after they pass on to the spirit world, transform into Killer Whales. The face of Kumugwe, the Chief of the undersea world,can be seen portrayed between the Killer Whales, who originate and reside in his kingdom under the sea. The Moon is portrayed between two Salmon, the Moon controls the tides of our rivers and oceans, the source of our great wealth and gift of Salmon, the Kwakwakawakw are known as The Salmon People. The Salmons eggs are visible between the tails of the Salmon. On either end of the box are two Bears , biting onto cedar bark rope, which serve as the handles for the box., the Bear represents the strength and wisdom of the creatures of our lands.” – Kevin Cranmer
16 x 37 x 18"
Price available on request
- Description
- Additional Information
- Artist Bio
Red Cedar wood, Yellow Cedar wood, Abalone shell, Cedar rope, Acrylic paint
“The 4 Chilkat Faces on the side of the box lid., touch on our Tlingit ancestry through our great,great,great,great grandmother Anisalaga, who was a Chilkat Blanket weaver. The faces are stylized after faces seen on Chilkat blankets, and also represent our ancestors. The split Maxinukw, or Killer Whale design represents one of the main crests of my fathers tribe, the Namgis, our people believe some of our chiefs, after they pass on to the spirit world, transform into Killer Whales. The face of Kumugwe, the Chief of the undersea world,can be seen portrayed between the Killer Whales, who originate and reside in his kingdom under the sea. The Moon is portrayed between two Salmon, the Moon controls the tides of our rivers and oceans, the source of our great wealth and gift of Salmon, the Kwakwakawakw are known as The Salmon People. The Salmons eggs are visible between the tails of the Salmon. On either end of the box are two Bears , biting onto cedar bark rope, which serve as the handles for the box., the Bear represents the strength and wisdom of the creatures of our lands.” – Kevin Cranmer
-
Chief of the Sea Bentwood Box
Lyle Campbell
$3,750.00 CADYellow Cedar wood, Red Cedar wood, Opercula shells, Acrylic paint
Specific and unique to the Northwest Coast People is the bentwood or bent-corner box or container. A most outstanding item of the First Nations people, it is a made from one single plank of wood through a lengthy steaming process – a method strictly adapted by the coastal peoples.
The Chief of the Sea is the highest deity of the Haida ocean spirits. The Chief has great transformative powers and the ability to move on both land and sea, usually in his known forms; animal or human.
-
Butterfly and Hummingbird Spoon
Daniel Yunkws
$950.00 CADSterling Silver, Engraved
Maple wood base included
-
Eagle, Dogfish, Beaver & Frog Box
Derek J. White
Price upon requestSterling Silver, Argillite, Abalone shell, Mastodon Ivory, Repousse, EngravedThis piece opens to reveal an inner box with relief engraving that echos the outer lid.
Traditionally, boxes were considered prized possessions and customarily used to store wealth or special ceremonial objects such as masks, rattles, clothing and adornments. People often gave names to these beautiful ornate boxes, told stories about their histories and treated them as family heirlooms. However, non-decorated boxes acted as instruments of life – from storing less precious articles, to food and later used for mortuary purposes. In Haida mythology, a stack of boxes contained the essence from which Raven created the world.
Eagle, Dogfish, Beaver and Frog Box retains its traditional elements through conception and imagery. Derek exhibits his mastery in his precision of line and perfect symmetry of the formline of this treasure. The gently angled lid with Abalone inlay, as well as the engraved and incised elements on the box is suggestive of the prototypic bent cornered wooden boxes and chests.
The box contains not only depictions of four important crest animals, but connects to past traditions in which a box held more than the material object, it also linked people to their heritage, lineage and each other.
For more details on shipping Ivory outside of Canada, please click here and then click open the Shipping section and scroll down to read more on Shipping Restrictions.
-
Eagle Frontlet
Charles Peter Heit
$8,200.00 CADBirch wood, Abalone, Ivory
For more details on shipping Ivory outside of Canada, please click here and then click open the Shipping section and scroll down to read more on Shipping Restrictions.
A frontlet is a forehead mask attached to a woven headpiece. It is worn by chiefs and high-ranking individuals as a display of crests and status. Frontlets are often decorated with materials that are symbols of wealth and power: abalone shell, operculum shell, sea lion whiskers, feathers and/or ermine pelts.
The intelligent Eagle symbolizes status, power, peace and friendship.
-
Raven & Sun Sculpture
Kevin Daniel Cranmer
$4,700.00 CADRed Cedar wood, Abalone shell, Acrylic paint
-
T’seshaht Whaler Paddle
Kevin Daniel Cranmer
$4,200.00 CADYellow Cedar wood, Abalone shell, Acrylic paint