Eagle, Salmon and Bear Feasting, Bentwood Box by Sean Whonnock (see video)

• Nation: Kwakwaka' wakw art, Kwakiutl art, native artists Vancouver Island
• Artist: Whonnock, Sean
• Type: Boxes

What a great piece of Indigenous fine art just came into our door:

Large, handmade, hand painted and hand carved BENTWOOD BOX by First Nations artist Sean Whonnock, a member of the Kwakwaka'wakw Nation from the Pacific Northwest Coast of British Columbia, Canada. 

Title: Eagle, Salmon and Bear feasting. Exquisitely carved, a truly impressive masterpiece of Indigenous art. Highly decorative, therefore traditionally seen as a symbol of wealth 

Please scroll all the way down to see the video....

Sean truly delivers superb quality. Please have a close look at the deep deep carving. He spent so much time on this box. The lid fits perfectly. It has a beautiful jumping Salmon hand painted on the top. The box itself shows the Bear over one corner and the Eagle over the other corner. So many details are added. Look at how he depicted the hands with spirit eyes (inlaid with Abalone). Throughout the box, Sean inlaid many large pieces of Abalone, those pieces are not glued on top, each of them is inlaid. 

Then the painting, easily recognizable as Sean's work. Very clean, very vibrant and powerful. A very strong presence, exhibiting remarkable craftsmanship and intricate detailing. 

Bentwood boxes are a traditional item made by the First Nations of the Pacific Northwest Coast, including parts of southern Alaska, western British Columbia and southern Washington, or more specific: people including the Haida, Gitxsan, Tlingit, Tsimshian, Sugpiaq, Unangax, Yupík, Inupiaq, Kwakiutl and Coast Salish. The Bentwood Box is a uniquely fabricated container in which a single plank of wood is grooved where corners are desired. The wood is made pliable with heat and moisture and bent to form a four-sided shape. Then the box shape is attached to a bottom piece of wood. The boxes and chests were used as storage containers, the watertight ones for holding hot rocks and water for cooking, and the highly decorated ones as symbols of wealth. 

Meaning: The Bear is a symbol for power, courage, physical strength and leadership. Warriors e.g. are known to wear bear claw necklaces which meant protection. In Haida culture the Bear is referred to as "Elder Kinsman" and was treated like a high-ranking guest. Eagles mate for life and are therefore also seen as a symbol of lasting love and dedication. It is said that the Eagle end their own life in despair when the mate is lost. Eagle feathers are used in the most important ceremonies, a display of respect, courage, Chieftainship and wisdom. The Salmon symbolizes prosperity, renewal and fertility. They are one of the most important and highest respected animals of all since they have been the primary food source from the beginning of time to the Northwest Coast First Nations. As sustenance and nourishment, Salmon is often viewed as a connection to regeneration, health, and life. 

Measurements: 15" x 10 1/2" x 10 1/2"

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About This Artist

Sean Whonnock (Wanukw "River owner"), a member of the Kwakwaka'wakw (Kwakiutl) Nation was born in Alert Bay, a small fishing village near Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada’s Pacific Northwest. He is working in wood, canvas, stone,...Artist bio and other available works »