Fall 2012 Newsletter: Featuring Works by Isabel Rorick, David Boxley and Bradley Hunt

This Fall, read about a charming alder Frog bowl by Tsimshian artist David Boxley and two large-scale works by Heitlsuk artist Bradley Hunt. We also feature two extraordinary woven pieces by Haida artist Isabel Rorick and introduce our loyal customers to our new giftware website that will be launching this fall. Finally, from September 22nd - October 13th, we will be holding a group show, Barnacles to Butterflies, that will showcase an array of unusual subject matter in Northwest Coast silver jewellery. Keep reading our blog for more updates!

Isabel Rorick Spruce Root Weaving: Bear Paw Rattle

Prominent Haida weaver Isabel Rorick is well-known for her beautiful spruce root weaving and has been creating pieces since the mid-1960s, when she first began learning from her grandmother, Selina Peratrovich. Her work has been featured in Sharon Busby's Spruce Root Basketry of the Haida and Tlingit, a book describing the history and techniques used in spruce root weaving.

Isabel begins her spruce root baskets and hats with a three-ring pattern skip stitch, which represents her three sons. This pattern is her signature and continues to be featured in all of her works. Over the years, we have seen a number of Isabel's pieces pass by through our gallery, including her Spring Emerging rattle that was included in our 25th Anniversary Show, Silver.

Rattles, along with drums, are the main percussive instrument used during ceremonies. Traditionally, the sound of rattles is said to contain magic and may be used to calm and tame wild dancers during some ceremonial performances. 

Currently in the gallery we are carrying one of Isabel's spruce root rattles, titled Bear Paw. The story behind this piece is a playful embodiment of a Bear during berry season. The darker design, woven with maidenhair fern, represents a Bear paw track as he searches for berries. A band of three-string twining represents the sky, a band of two-string twining represents the earth and the triangular shapes along the rattle head represent salmon berries, as do the garnet stones. The handle of the rattle is carved from yellow cedar and is adorned with abalone inlay. This piece measures 6 1/2" x 3" x 3" and is available for $6,400.00 CAD.

Isabel Rorick Spruce Root Rattle

Prominent Haida weaver Isabel Rorick has created a beautiful new yellow cedar and spruce root rattle adorned with eagle down, eagle feathers, and amethyst stones.

On the rattle, variations in stitching patterns symbolize the earth, and the sky. There are four rows of three-string twining which represent the sky, thunderbolt/lightning design representing power and below, there are three rows of skip-stitch which represents the earth. The three rings at the top of the rattle, which can be found on all of her pieces is her signature. Historically, rattles like this were used as a means of healing for young people.

This piece measures 7 1/2" x 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" and is available for $6,800.00 CAD.