Sterling Frog Dangle Earrings Northwest Coast Native Jewelry

Description

With each dangle earring measuring
1.5" tall by 5/8" wide
, these sleek
Frog
earrings by First Nations jeweler Kelvin Thompson are distinctive yet wearable. Made from cast sterling silver, the design consists of a front-facing frog on one side and a raven on the other side.
While significance varies from Nation to Nation, there are associated traits and representational qualities of the Frog that remain constant cross-culturally. Frog is a great communicator and usually represents the common ‘voice of the people.’ As a being that can inhabit two worlds, the land and the sea, Frogs are often seen as being spiritually powerful and transcendent beings. Because of this, Frogs are often spirit helpers to Shamans. Similarly, their voice and songs are often seen as containing divine or magical qualities. Frogs are often represented as touching tongues or sharing a tongue with another creature in a representation of transformation or an exchange of information. Closely associated with Volcano Woman, or the Weeping Woman, there are many stories of young boys killing an innocent Frog – an act which causes Volcano Woman to erupt nearby volcanoes and destroy the village that the young men belong to if she does not receive recompense for taking the innocent life of the Frog. In most artistic representations, Frog can be identified by its flat nose; broad, toothless mouth; large, round, lidless eyes; a short body with bent legs, and elongated or webbed feet. Frog is often depicted with its tongue out as well.
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'.
keywords: "haida raven bracelet", "raven skull pendant", "native raven silver", "Robert Davidson earrings"