Celtic Ravens Northwest Coast Native American Cuff Bracelet 1 1/2" Wide Engraved

Description

This rare Northwest Coast Native cuff by popular artist Kelvin Thompson fuses Celtic/British design with First Nations symbolism. This piece is comprised of two '
Ravens
' in reverse, and their
interlocking tongues create Celtic knotting
. This composition represents both family, and British Columbia's colonial heritage. An elegant and significant work of art.
This cuff measures
1 1/2" wide and 6 1/4" long
, which will fit a wrist between 6 1/2" - 7" in circumference. Custom lengths and widths can be requested as well.
The Raven is one of the most important figures in Northwest Coast art and mythology. Raven has the ability to transform both himself and other beings. He can even change animate to inanimate matter, and vice versa. Raven appears in many legends as curious, intelligent, innovative and creative. In art, Raven can be identified by a strong, straight tapered beak, sometimes very slightly curved or squared at the tip. Generally, Raven is the transformer. The creator. He placed the sun and moon in the sky so the world would have light and also put the trees on land and fish in water. This magical creature opened the clamshell to release man. He is known for his knowledge.
Kelvin carves jewellery in silver and gold, but also creates bowls and masks from alder, maple and cedar. In 1979, he studied under and worked with Barry and Derek Wilson at the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre, and in 1980 carved a totem pole with Henry Robinson for the Friendship Centre. He has been adopted into Henry's Haisla family. From oxidizing to intricate cut-out work, Kelvin is always experimenting and trying new things with his jewellery. In addition, he has taught many artists how to carve in silver and gold, and he is passionate about passing skills and information on to younger carvers. From September, 2007 to February, 2008 Kelvin aided Kwakwaka’wakw/Haida artist Dan Wallace in teaching the first annual Northwest Coast Jewellery Arts Program, which was held at Vancouver’s Native Education College. In 2009, Kelvin was commissioned to engrave five cuff bracelets for James Taylor, Elvis Costello, Diana Krall, Elton John, and Vicki Gabereau for the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation fundraiser 'An Evening with Diana Krall'.