Northwest Coast Native Art

$72.50

Item 04212

4 1/2 x 5 x 3 1/2

1 lbs. 0 oz.

Extra packaging required. A surcharge of 7.00 will be added to order.

Thunderbird SpiritBox Verdigris

Resin composite in Verdigris

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 18th 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.

PANABO

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

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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.

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Thunderbird

The Thunderbird is recognized by its large recurved beak and horn on top of its head, which symbolized the supernatural. Thunderbird was the most powerful of the spirits. During a storm the Thunderbird scoops up the Killer Whale. The Elders say the bones of Killer Whales have been found on mountaintops, left there by the Great Thunderbird.

In the Northwest Coast Native American culture the Thunderbird is a giant, supernatural bird, named for his habit of causing thunder and lightning. Beneath his wings he carries "Lightning Snakes," which are his weapons. Thunder rolls from the flap of his wings, and lightning flashes when he blinks his great eyes or throws the "Lightning Snakes". He is large and strong enough to hunt Killer Whales, which he strikes dead with the wolf-headed, serpent-tongued Lightning Snakes. Thunderbird carries his prey high into the mountains to feed. From his home in these great heights, he rules majestically, keeping a close watch over his dominion. Thunderbird is intelligent and proud, and humans who attempt to outwit Thunderbird are certain to have their intentions backfire!

Understanding Northwest Coast Art - Cheryl Shearar