Northwest Coast Native Art

$98.00

Item 04205

4 x 7 x 4

2 lbs. 0 oz.

Extra packaging required. A surcharge of 5.00 will be added to order.

Bear and Frog SpiritBox

Resin composite in rosewood

The Spirit Box collection by BOMA represents some of the finest expressions of West Coast Art available. Whether you add one or all seven of the unique Spirit Box designs to your collection each one will have its own individual and personal meaning. This Spirit Box is made from a composite material that simulates the look and feel of argillite. This composite is a faithful reproduction of the material usually used in the original carving. Argillite is a slate that is only found on a remote mountainside in the Slatechuck Valley of Graham Island on Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands). At the end of the 18^th century, Haida carvers began to elaborately carve boxes exclusively in argillite to satisfy the demands of Victorian collectors who understood the rarity of the dense material. In this century argillite use has become cost prohibitive. Boxes The box was a prized possession used to house wealth and ceremonial objects. Some were used as storage containers for religious objects and/or objects of everyday use. Lidless boxes might have served as cooking and food-serving vessels. People often gave names to their decorated boxes, told stories about their histories and treated them as important heirlooms.

PANABO

Produced by BOMA Manufacturing and distributed by Panabo Sales Limited of Vancouver, British Columbia.

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Bear

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 human kind, perhaps because of physical characteristics such as size, appearance, and expression, and behaviors such as standing on two hind legs, gathering plants and berries, fishing and nurturing young. As a close relation, the bear is a link between the human and non-human animal realms, as well as between the secular natural ream and the divine or supernatural. Because of their strength and fierceness, Bears are frequently the guardians, protectors and helping spirits of the Warriors. Bears were held in great respect by the Coastal Indians because of their humanlike qualities. The bear motif is often found carved and painted on totem poles and used in many other art works. Because of its power and human-like qualities, the bear was referred to as "Elder Kinsman". When killed, it was taken to the chief's house, sprinkled with eagle down as a symbol of welcome, friendship and generally treated as a high-ranking guest. Prayers and dances were made to the soul of the bear so that harm would not later befall the hunters.

Understanding Northwest Coast Art - Cheryl Shearar

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Frog

Frog is a creature of great importance in the Northwest Coast art and culture. As a creature that lives in two worlds, water and land, the frog is revered for its adaptability, knowledge and power to traverse worlds and inhabit diverse realms, both natural and supernatural. Frogs are primary spirit helpers of shamans. Frog is a great communicator, and often represents the common ground or voice of the people. These are vocal, singing creatures, and the voice and song are believed to contain divine power and magic. In the art, Frog is often shown sharing its tongue or touching tongues with another creature in an exchange of knowledge and power. The Frog, although not found in the territory of the northern Indians, plays a significant part in their mythology. It has been suggested that the lore of the frog came with their ancestors from Asia. A wide toothless mouth, flat nose, and showing feet and toes usually portray the Frog.

Understanding Northwest Coast Art - Cheryl Shearar