20" Family of Orcas on cedar, by Haida master artist Donavon Gates - SOLD

• Nation: Haida Gwaii art, native American art
• Artist: Gates, Donavon
• Type: Wall panels and wall plaques

20" Round Panel Carving of a Whale Family by Donavon Gates

This very beautiful carving of a Whale Family depicts the calf (front), the mother (middle) and the father in the back (just the top fin is visible). The side fins of both, mother and calf, are carved to show the "Raven" (The Haida believe Raven or Yelth or Hoya to be a complex reflection of one's own self.). The tail of the mother whale depicts the "Chief Spirit". In addition to that, the blowhole of the mother is carved to show a seal, meaning that the oder coming from this blowhole is not a pleasant one. 

The carving is beautifully inlaid with abalone. There is no question that this is another of Donovan's master pieces of spiritual Haida art. Donovan's carvings do not just show images, they always tell traditional stories of the Haida and their related tribes like the Tlingit and Tsimshian.

This particular piece of art was carved out of Basswood, also called Tilia or Linden. (Tilia is a tree native throughout most Northern Hemisphere) The round was "domed" before carving.

Measurements are: 20" diameter, 2" thick

 

Photos of This Piece

About This Artist

Born on March 10th of 1954, Donavon Gates is a registered member of the Old Massett band from Haida Gwai (Queen Charlotte) Islands on the North-West Coast of British Columbia. Through his mother’s side of the family he shares the raven...Artist bio and other available works »