Northwest Coast Native Art

$280.00

Item 04502

7 x 10 1/2 x 7

13 lbs. 6 oz.

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

Autumn

Bronze sculpture collectors piece

Autumn's Feast

The salmon return upstream to their fresh water spawning beds. There is a gathering of the generations to celebrate life's endless cycle. Such vitality is purified in the presence of the frog.

Michael MacLean

Echoing contemporary monumental works by First Nations artists such as The Black Canoe, by Bill Reid, this new series from artist Michael MacLean blends tribal and figurative motifs. These exciting and timely pieces testify to the strength in our shared cultures. Animals can be experienced as elemental forces with totemic power and as individual beings with mortal problems and triumphs. These bronze sculptures were created as a prayer for the continuation of myth as well as biodiversity.

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Salmon

The Salmon's life cycle was - and is - highly respected, and in the native world proper honoring brought prosperity to native communities. The primary food source of tribal peoples, many legends refer to its importance in both the real and ritual life of human communities where the bones of the first salmon of every season are, to this day, respectfully returned to the river. According to Tsimshian legend, salmon were originally salmon people living in 5 villages. These five species of salmon represented the 5 villages - Iyai (spring salmon), Mesaw (sockeye), Werh (coho), Stemawn (pink), and Qanees (dog salmon). In early spring, they changed into their fish form and started on their journey, but each group at different times. Salmon was a major food source for all the Northwest Coast peoples, and therefore a major part of their cultures.

Salmon is the life source and the provider of food for all animals and humans. Treated with high regard, the Salmon is a symbol of immortality and wealth. The great abundance of the salmon allowed the culture of the Northwest Coast to flourish.

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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