Kwakwaka'wakw

Killer Whale Ring
Lloyd Wadhams Jr. (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Rings are available to order in various sizes. Please contact the gallery directly.Killer Whales ...

Rings are available to order in various sizes. Please contact the gallery directly.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.

Hummingbird Ring
Lloyd Wadhams Jr. (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. Hummingbird ...

Bear Ring
Lloyd Wadhams Jr. (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.Bear is one o...

Bear Paddle
Ross Henderson (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Paddle stand available for $300 CAD. Please allow 2 to 3 weeks for fabrication. Contact the galle...

Paddle stand available for $300 CAD. Please allow 2 to 3 weeks for fabrication. Contact the gallery directly to order a stand.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.

Raven Ring
Joe Wilson (Kwakwaka'wakw)

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

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. Raven is on...

Hinged Box with Totem Corners
Alfred J. Shaunessy (Kwakwaka'wakw)

c. 1936

c. 1936

Halibut Bowl
Bruce Alfred (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. A deep-water...

Salmon Bracelet
David Neel (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. Salmon was a...

Hummingbird Ring
Joe Wilson (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.Hummingbird i...

Dzonokwa Moon Mask
Stan Hunt (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Edition 1/12

Edition 1/12

Spy Hop Killer Whale Sculpture
Rod Smith (Kwakwaka'wakw)

These works are hand-painted and design features may vary. The term 'Spy Hop' refers to the actio...

These works are hand-painted and design features may vary. The term 'Spy Hop' refers to the action when Killer Whales bob near the surface of the water, 'spying' on their surroundings. 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 Northw...

Salmon on Driftwood
Rod Smith (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Salmon is fundamental to all coastal peoples, and is a symbol of regeneration, health and life. M...

Salmon is fundamental to all coastal peoples, and is a symbol of regeneration, health and life. Many myths tell of people taken to the undersea world of the Salmon and return with secret knowledge and powers. Salmon have always been viewed as the life force for Indigenous communities. Salmon is often represented by scales, small fins and striated tail fin.

Seal Head
Rod Smith (Kwakwaka'wakw)

These works are hand-painted and design features may vary.   Indigenous artwork on the Pacific No...

These works are hand-painted and design features may vary.   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, i...

Komokwa Mask
Tom Hunt Jr. (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Komokwa is of major importance in Kwakwaka’wakw oral tradition. He is King of the Undersea World,...

Komokwa is of major importance in Kwakwaka’wakw oral tradition. He is King of the Undersea World, and master and protector of the Seals, who were a symbol of wealth. His name means "Rich One." Komokwa rules from a great house under the water. His house contains immense wealth in blankets, coppers, and other treasures. Many human supplicants of legendary history tried to reach this kingdom and those ancestral heroes who achieved their goal became wealthy and powerful, returning to their home v...

Mosquito Mask
Gilbert Dawson (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Mask Height on Base: 13 ½" HBase: 6 ¼" W x 13" L

Mask Height on Base: 13 ½" HBase: 6 ¼" W x 13" L

Articulated Portrait Mask
Joe Wilson (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Articulated   Indigenous artwork on the Pacific Northwest Coast often incorporates figures and an...

Articulated   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...