Killer Whale

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.

Killer Whale is a common crest and being among many groups of the Northwest Coast, and one of the most prevalent depictions in the artwork. In some Haida oral traditions, Raven-Finned Killer Whale is a whale-chief and characterized by a Raven-headed dorsal fin. There are also Haida depictions of two-, three-, and even five-finned Killer Whales. It has been suggested that these supernatural figures may have originated from sightings of whale pods surfacing, with multiple dorsal fins visible above the water. Killer Whale’s familial bonds and skillfulness in teamwork can oftentimes lead to associations with communication, family, unity, and travel. Killer Whale is generally identified by a large ovoid eye, blowhole, dorsal fin, and tail flukes.
31 items

Killer Whale Panel
Trevor Hunt (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Indigenous artwork on the Pacific Northwest Coast often incorporates figures and animals that are...

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. Killer Whale...

$6,000.00

Killer Whale Pendant
Phil Janze (Gitxsan)

Open Edition Cast. Indigenous artwork on the Pacific Northwest Coast often incorporates figures a...

Open Edition Cast. 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 descrip...

$1,200.00

Reflect
Kelly Cannell (Salish)

Edition /78 This print is available framed for $1,130 CAD. Please contact the gallery directly. I...

Edition /78 This print is available framed for $1,130 CAD. Please contact the gallery directly. 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 charact...

$680.00

Protector
Maynard Johnny Jr. (Salish)

Edition /100 Available framed for $2,300 CAD. Please contact the gallery directly. This print dep...

Edition /100 Available framed for $2,300 CAD. Please contact the gallery directly. This print depicts a Killer Whale protecting a child in a storm. Killer Whales are widely considered clan ancestors. Living in human form in undersea villages, killer whales are often thought to be the reincarnations of great chiefs and are associated with wealth, unity and travel. Some prominent characteristic traits of Killer Whale are a rounded snout, blowhole, a dorsal fin, pectoral fins and a tail.

$1,600.00

Killer Whale Rattle
Ken McNeil (Tahltan)

Dimensions with base: 10 ¾" H x 4" W x 7" D   Indigenous artwork on the Pacific Northwest Coast o...

Dimensions with base: 10 ¾" H x 4" W x 7" D   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 h...

$8,000.00

Killer Whale Blanket
Dempsey Bob (Tahltan)

This piece is stored off-site. To arrange a viewing, please contact the gallery directly. Indige...

This piece is stored off-site. To arrange a viewing, please contact the gallery directly. 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 characterist...

$24,000.00

Unity
Maynard Johnny Jr. (Salish)

Edition AP /30 Available framed for $1.075 CAD. Please contact the gallery directly. Indigenous a...

Edition AP /30 Available framed for $1.075 CAD. Please contact the gallery directly. 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 fr...

$675.00