• Material: Argillite
• Measurements: H 6 1/4", W 2 3/16", D 2 3/8" / H 15.7cm, W 5.5cm, D 5.9cm
• Totem Symbols: Bear and Killer Whale
• Artists: Gryn White
• Styles: Canadian First Nations, Gemstone Jewelry
• Categories: Sculptures

Bear

The Bear symbolizes strength, independence, learned humility, and teaching. The protector of the animal kingdom. With great power and human like qualities, the Bear is known as the Elder Kinsman and is always treated as a high-ranking guest.

Killer Whale

Killer Whales or Orcas symbolize love of all types, representing romance, loyalty and close ties between family and friends. It offers protection to travelers far from home, helping to guide your journey back. In myth the Orca is closely linked to humans; it is said that those lost at sea are transformed into these whales and have gone to live in a underwater village. Seen as the guardian of the ocean, the Orca is a strong spirit, which symbolizes longevity, resiliency and knowing that you are not alone.

Argillite

Argilite is a fine-grained sedimentary rock, often called “black slate”, and is renowned by the Haida nation for carving. The Haida began carving argillite in response to the early curio trade of the 1820's, allowing them to trade with early European explorers and settlers. Soon the artistic accomplishments of the Haida in the use of materials such as wood, horn, and stone included this new medium. While argillite used to be known as a form of tourist art, it has grown to become one of the most sought after art forms in North American First Nations art. Even today, argillite continues to be carved exclusively by Haida artists both on Haida Gwaii and in the Vancouver and Victoria areas.

Gryn White

Gryn White’s aboriginal name is Duugwi, means “Strong Haida”, and he has descended from an impressive lineage of renowned artists. His great-great grandfather is Charles Edenshaw (1839-1920), a chief of the StA’stas Eagle clan and who was considered the most influential Haida artist of his time. Gryn has been carving since 2002, and learned many of his skills through his father, Greg Lightbown While. Gryn works with a variety of media, he is well-known for his argillite carving. In recent years, he has become proficient in inlay work. In 2008, he was one of fourteen argillite carvers featured in the book Breathing Stone by Carol Sheehan.