Pacific Northwest Coast Carved Cedar Killer Whale Rattle

Pacific Northwest Coast Carved Cedar Killer Whale Rattle, by Coastal Salish – Squamish artist Stan Joseph, signed and dated 2012, a beautiful and deeply carved hollow cedar dance rattle in the form of a Killer Whale, with relief carved eyes and mouth, surface striations, and three human faces on the back and tale, with applied pectoral and dorsal fins. Mounted with simple whittled cradle on cedar block base (signed and dated on bottom of base). Hollow interior rattles with entrapped pebbles.

The carving was never polychromed and remains in its original natural finish. Excellent condition.

Stan Joseph is a Coastal Salish artist from North Vancouver. He began carving in 1962 at the age of twelve, and also ventured into painting and designing totem poles. In 1972 he carved an 80 foot and other huge poles which sold to Germany. In 1980 he carved a 60-foot pole for Sea Span and another one for the Chief Joe Matthias Centre, as well as the welcome figure on the West Vancouver Pier. Stan is now an outstanding master carver who teaches his craft to the next generation of young artists. Stan is also accomplished at making silver and gold jewelry, and teaches this art at the employment center.

Stan has been interested in the spiritual dances of the Coast Salish people since he was 17, and became one of the Spirit dancers, especially dancing the Eagle and Snake spirit dances. He is a teacher of these dances for many young people who wanted to follow his footsteps.

Measures: 16-1/4 in L x 10 in H x 6-1/4 in W
On stand: 16 in L x 12 in H x 6-1/4 in W