Bear

Indigenous artwork on the Pacific Northwest Coast often incorporates figures and animals that are related to crest symbols. Crests have been passed down through families and have varying meanings depending on the context and association with a nation, clan, or family. The figures depicted in contemporary Northwest Coast Indigenous artwork also have varying meanings but there are some common characteristics from a range of sources, including oral histories and artist descriptions.

Bear is one of the most prevalent figures in Northwest Coast art and oral tradition. Bear is often considered to be a close relation to humankind and a link between the human and non-human realms due to physical characteristics such as appearance and expression, as well as anthropomorphic behaviours like nurturing young and standing on hind legs. Associated with strength and fierceness, Bears have been depicted as guardians and protectors of human heroes. Bear is identified by a wide mouth with prominent teeth, a short round snout with large nostrils, and clawed feet.
52 items

Thunderbird and Bear Model Pole
Ellen Neel (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Signed "Ellen Neel, Not finished on her death"

Signed "Ellen Neel, Not finished on her death"

$1,200.00

Bear Ring
Lloyd Wadhams Jr. (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Bear is a dominant crest symbol. Bears are closely related to humans especially when standing on ...

Bear is a dominant crest symbol. Bears are closely related to humans especially when standing on their hind legs, bridging the human and non-human realms. Their strength and intelligence are universally respected and they are considered to be helping spirits of warriors. Bear is often depicted with a short snout, round paws, stubby tail and bared teeth.

$450.00

Bear Panel
Jim Charlie (Salish)

$1,200.00

Speaker Staff
Reuben Wallace (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Figures from top to bottom: Raven, Eagle, Raven, three Bears, Beaver

Figures from top to bottom: Raven, Eagle, Raven, three Bears, Beaver

$1,200.00

Bear Ring
Lloyd Wadhams Jr. (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Bear is a dominant crest symbol. Bears are closely related to humans especially when standing on ...

Bear is a dominant crest symbol. Bears are closely related to humans especially when standing on their hind legs, bridging the human and non-human realms. Their strength and intelligence are universally respected and they are considered to be helping spirits of warriors. Bear is often depicted with a short snout, round paws, stubby tail and bared teeth.

$450.00

Eagle and Bear Tile
Don Yeomans (Haida)

Edition /50Eagle is one of the most important beings in the art and mythology of the Northwest Co...

Edition /50Eagle is one of the most important beings in the art and mythology of the Northwest Coast. It is respected for its intel­ligence and power, as well as its extraordinary vision, in both the literal and figurative senses. Eagles in myth are, likewise, usu­ally noble characters. Eagle is revered as a powerful hunter. Groups of mythical Eagles may gather for co-operative whale hunting expeditions, since, unlike the giant Thunderbird, Eagle is not strong enough to hunt whales alone. Eag...

$2,400.00

Bear Bracelet
Liam Baker (Salish)

Bear is a dominant crest symbol. Bears are closely related to humans especially when standing on ...

Bear is a dominant crest symbol. Bears are closely related to humans especially when standing on their hind legs, bridging the human and non-human realms. Their strength and intelligence are universally respected and they are considered to be helping spirits of warriors. Bear is often depicted with a short snout, round paws, stubby tail and bared teeth.

$450.00

Bear Pendant
Hollie Bartlett (Haisla)

Bear is a dominant crest symbol. Bears are closely related to humans especially when standing on ...

Bear is a dominant crest symbol. Bears are closely related to humans especially when standing on their hind legs, bridging the human and non-human realms. Their strength and intelligence are universally respected and they are considered to be helping spirits of warriors. Bear is often depicted with a short snout, round paws, stubby tail and bared teeth.

$570.00

Bear Necklace
Jim Edenshaw (Haida)

Including Chain: 16" L

Including Chain: 16" L

$12,000.00

Bear Rattle
Artist Unknown (Tsimshian)

Bear is a dominant crest symbol. Bears are closely related to humans especially when standing on ...

Bear is a dominant crest symbol. Bears are closely related to humans especially when standing on their hind legs, bridging the human and non-human realms. Their strength and intelligence are universally respected and they are considered to be helping spirits of warriors. Bear is often depicted with a short snout, round paws, stubby tail and bared teeth.

$1,500.00

Xhuwaji - Haida Grizzly Bear
Bill Reid (Haida)

1990Edition /300This print is only available framed.

1990Edition /300This print is only available framed.

$4,000.00

Bear and Salmon Bracelet
Lloyd Wadhams Jr. (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Bear is a dominant crest symbol. Bears are closely related to humans especially when standing on ...

Bear is a dominant crest symbol. Bears are closely related to humans especially when standing on their hind legs, bridging the human and non-human realms. Their strength and intelligence are universally respected and they are considered to be helping spirits of warriors. Bear is often depicted with a short snout, round paws, stubby tail and bared teeth.Salmon is fundamental to all coastal peoples, and is a symbol of regeneration, health and life. Many myths tell of people taken to the unders...

$300.00

Bear Bracelet
Jim McGuire (Haida)

Bear is a dominant crest symbol. Bears are closely related to humans especially when standing on ...

Bear is a dominant crest symbol. Bears are closely related to humans especially when standing on their hind legs, bridging the human and non-human realms. Their strength and intelligence are universally respected and they are considered to be helping spirits of warriors. Bear is often depicted with a short snout, round paws, stubby tail and bared teeth.

$6,000.00

Bear Pendant with Blue Diamond
Hollie Bartlett (Haisla)

Bear is a dominant crest symbol. Bears are closely related to humans especially when standing on ...

Bear is a dominant crest symbol. Bears are closely related to humans especially when standing on their hind legs, bridging the human and non-human realms. Their strength and intelligence are universally respected and they are considered to be helping spirits of warriors. Bear is often depicted with a short snout, round paws, stubby tail and bared teeth.

$760.00

Helping Hands
Ses Saunders (Nuxalk)

Edition /60Available framed for $800 CAD. Please contact the gallery directly.Bear is a dominant ...

Edition /60Available framed for $800 CAD. Please contact the gallery directly.Bear is a dominant crest symbol. Bears are closely related to humans especially when standing on their hind legs, bridging the human and non-human realms. Their strength and intelligence are universally respected and they are considered to be helping spirits of warriors. Bear is often depicted with a short snout, round paws, stubby tail and bared teeth.

$425.00

Bear Panel
Mark Lange (Tlingit)

Bear is a dominant crest symbol. Bears are closely related to humans especially when standing on ...

Bear is a dominant crest symbol. Bears are closely related to humans especially when standing on their hind legs, bridging the human and non-human realms. Their strength and intelligence are universally respected and they are considered to be helping spirits of warriors. Bear is often depicted with a short snout, round paws, stubby tail and bared teeth.

$3,700.00

Bear and Frog Earrings
Bill Reid (Haida)

Hallmarked, Signed "AP I/II '97"These earrings were the only pair in the edition made with abalon...

Hallmarked, Signed "AP I/II '97"These earrings were the only pair in the edition made with abalone inlay. Bear is a dominant crest symbol. Bears are closely related to humans especially when standing on their hind legs, bridging the human and non-human realms. Their strength and intelligence are universally respected and they are considered to be helping spirits of warriors. Bear is often depicted with a short snout, round paws, stubby tail and bared teeth.

$30,000.00