Salmon, Bear, Eagle Carving with Abalone Eyes - Carver: Nelson McCarty

Article number:	210000006958
Availability:	In stock

Artist: Nelson McCarty
Lytton BC

Dimensions: 12.5”x 5”x 1”
Weight: 0.338kg

Actual product colour may vary due to photographic lighting sources or your monitor

Salmon: "The Giver of Life." Salmon is an important food source for the people of the Northwest Coast and accordingly always treated with great respect, and is often the crest figure for twins. Salmon is depicted with no teeth, but often with the hooked upper jaw associated with spawning salmon.

Bear: The Bear is a great hunter and symbolizes strength and power. Always treated as a high-ranking guest by many of the cultural groups on the coast, it is also known by for its human-like qualities. The characteristics of the bear that are symbolized in Northwest Coast are a short blunt nose with conspicuous teeth, a protruding tongue, small upright ears and claw-like fore and hind paws.

Eagle: Eagle can be a symbol of power. Eagle belongs to the supernatural world and is next in line to Thunderbird. The down from the eagle is a symbol of peace and would be sprinkled before guests in welcome dances. Eagle feathers are used in ritual and as decoration for masks and other carvings. Eagle's beak is shorter than Raven's and has a downward curve. Often the tongue is evident.