This cast Bear by Reid is an open edition casting that sold through Cavelti Jewellers. Toni Cavelti was Bill Reid's jeweler for years and he created these pieces to Bill's specifications. These pieces were made during Bill's lifetime and bears Bill's Wolf chop as its signature.
"Bear is one of the most prevalent figures in crest and shamanic art, as well as in myths. It is considered to be a close relation of humankind… as a close relation, the bear is a link between the human non-human realms, as well as between the secular natural realm and the divine or supernatural." (Shearar 1990:20) – Undertstanding Northwest Coast Art: A Guide to Crests, Beings and Symbols
