Winter Commissions

Lattimer Gallery regularly works with customers to facilitate commissions. While we always carry a great selection of fine art in our gallery, people often order special pieces to meet particular needs and spaces. A good client of ours commissioned young Kwakwaka’wakw artist Clinton Work to design and engrave a matching set of solid 22k gold cuff bracelets this spring. Titled Eternal Love, this bracelet design depicts two interlocking wolves, a ghost figure to represent ancestors and love lost, and a human figure to represent future generations and familial bonds. Similar to most of his work, Clint has cropped all of these elements to provide each cuff with a contemporary design. This cropping also draws the eye in, as these are not typical Northwest Coast crest figures. After these pieces were shaped and carved in the round, Clint then hand-stippled all of the flat surfaces, a time-consuming finishing technique that provided the cuffs with a truly sculptural look. 

Lattimer Gallery featured the work of talented Coast Salish artist Cody Lecoy in our Fall 2013 newsletter, and since that time Cody has developed his style and received a YVR Art Foundation Scholarship. This March, we commissioned a painting from Cody, which enabled him to work through the process of completing a custom order. From the initial study in graphite to the finished painting, Cody updated us on his creative process through the entire project. The result - a colourful and surreal 24” x 48” painting titled Resurgence - was fantastic, and this piece is currently available for $1,200.00 CAD. The image below is just a small detail from this large composition. Lattimer Gallery frequently facilitates commissions, and we encourage our clients to contact us for any custom projects they have in mind.

David Neel Jewellery

Lattimer Gallery is pleased to be carrying jewellery by popular Kwakwaka'wakw artist David Neel. David recently brought us a diverse selection of rings, pendants, earrings, and cuff bracelets. Ranging in price from $250.00 CAD to $900.00 CAD, these pieces demonstrate David's range of techniques and classic Kwakwaka'wakw design sense. Here are a few of the new pieces we have available:

14k White Gold Ring with Yellow Gold Rails - 5/16" Wide, Size 7 - $1,100.00 CAD - Eagle Design

14k Yellow Gold Earrings with Rubies - 3/4" x 3/8" - $550.00 CAD - Bear Design

Sterling Silver Link Bracelet with 14k Overlay - 3/8" x 8 1/4" - $800.00 CAD - Eagle Design

14k White Gold Pendant with Diamond - 1 3/4" x 7/8" - $900.00 CAD - Bear Design

David's crests are Thunderbird and Killerwhale. He comes from a family that is rich in history and artistic skill. His father is Dave Neel Sr, his great uncle is acclaimed artist Mungo Martin, his great-great-great grandfather is Charlie James, and his grandmother is artist Ellen Neel. His widely exhibited work includes: jewellery, masks, drums, poles, original paintings, limited edition prints, glass etching, regalia, and photos (appearing in several magazines). David's formal training in Fine Arts was at the University of Kansas and at Mount Royal College, Alberta. Following a career as a professional photographer in Texas, David returned to Canada in the early 1990s and conceived two important projects: one documenting works and images of First Nations elders, and the other promoting the revival of the Northwest Coast great dugout canoe. David's talents are diverse, and he is dedicated to promoting and preserving his Kwakwaka'wakw heritage.

Custom Native Jewellery

Lattimer Gallery has always offered a wide selection of museum-quality First Nations jewellery. From cuff bracelets to belt buckles, we carry a broad range of items and represent hundreds of artists from across British Columbia. While we strive to present numerous options in engraved silver, gold, and copper pieces - and work very hard to offer a diverse collection - many customers wish to commission pieces that reflect their specific and unique tastes. Lattimer Gallery accepts custom orders and makes the process of commissioning pieces an easy and pleasant experience.

Below are some custom orders that we have recently facilitated:

Kelvin Thompson 14k White Gold Ring -  1/2" Wide

This was a 1/2" wide, untapered, and domed 14k white gold ring by Ojibway/Haisla artist Kelvin Thompson. It was a 'Dragon and Wolf' design. In addition to requesting atypical symbolism, our customer also ordered the ring with a ruby in the eye of the Dragon. 

Gwaai Edenshaw Sterling Silver Cuff - 1" Wide

While most Northwest Coast First Nations cuff bracelets are 6" in length, this bracelet by Haida artist Gwaai Edenshaw was ordered to be 6 1/2" long. It was also requested to be oxidized, which provided the piece with a vintage appearance.

Landon Gunn Sterling Stacking Rings - 3/8" Wide

Designed as 3/8" wide stacking rings by Kwakwaka'wakw/Metis artist Landon Gunn, these 'Salmon' figures matched in a yin-yang figuration. These particular rings were created in sterling silver, but they would also look great in white or yellow gold. A great idea for wedding bands.

We encourage you to send any questions you may have, as we really enjoy helping customers with these unique orders. The best part about ordering through Lattimer Gallery is that you are not obliged to commit to your order if you are not 100% happy with the way your piece(s) turn out.