Large Moon Mask with Salmon Design
Calvin Hunt carved this large Moon Mask in red cedar and painted the formlines with red, green, and black acrylic.
This mask measures 38 inches or 97 centimeters across and 6 1/2 inches or close to 17 centimeters deep. Copper ovoids are inlaid in the Moon’s eyes. Calvin’s daughter, Ali Hunt, created the twined cedar bark to adorn the rim.
Calvin Hunt’s large Moon Mask is mounted on a circular cedar rim painted with four salmon. Two males swim at the top of the mask, two female salmon circle below. The male and female’s tail fins appear on either side of the moon’s eyes. The salmons’ hooked snouts signal their natural changes as they enter the brackish waters leading to their natal streams. Inside the female bodies are red salmon eggs represented by small red circles. The Moon, transforming with cyclical phases, echoes the natural physical transformation of spawning salmon as they return from their mysterious four-year odyssey in the open ocean to enter the last phase of their journey to spawn and to die.
In stories and ceremonies, salmon reflect ideas about wealth, supernatural power, regeneration, reincarnation, transformation, and the synthesis between supernatural and social experience. The First Salmon ceremonies mark a time of renewal for both humans and fish. Once spawning is finished and the fish die, the continuity of their species is ensured by the fertilized eggs. The people treated the first salmon taken each year with ritual respect in cooking and consuming. The bones of these special fish were carefully gathered and returned to the water in order that the bones be refleshed and the souls of the salmon could thus swim back to their underwater Salmon Villages. This exchange—salmon giving themselves to people and people returning the stuff of regeneration to salmon—ensured the continuity of the salmon runs each season and the continuity of life itself.
Calvin Hunt writes:
First ceremonies follow strict protocols that show respect for the species and the nourishment it provides, for protection against sicknesses and for bringing wealth. Our spiritual world is interconnected with our physical, mental and emotional worlds.
Salmon People live in villages deep under the ocean. At springtime, the immortal humans put on their Salmon masks so they can offer themselves as food to the people., Ceremony through language, song and prayer is undertaken at harvest time to give thanks so that the Salmon will continue their annual journey each year.
In Kwagu’ł Culture, twins are a blessing from the Salmon people, and twins are automatically given the rights to the Salmon dance and crest. Salmon symbolize abundance, fertility, regeneration, perseverance and renewal.
Calvin Hunt carved this stunning mask in red cedar and painted the formlines with red, green, and black acrylic. This large mask measures 3 feet or 91 centimeters across. Copper ovoids are inlaid in the Moon’s eyes. Calvin’s daughter, Ali Hunt, created the twined cedar bark to adorn the rim.
What’s the best way to find out your ring size?
The best and most secure way to find out your ring size would be to go to a local jeweler and have him size your finger. It's always important to tell the jeweler how wide the ring will be, that you are sizing your finger for. The reason is that for most people the wider a ring is, the larger the necessary ring size will be. As an example if you measure your finger with a ¼ inch wide ring sizer, for a ring that will be 3/8 of an inch wide you might be off by ¼ to ½ a ring size. It’s always best to measure the ring size of your finger with a ring that has the same width as the ring that you would like to order.
Can a ring be resized?If a ring is just a bit too tight and doesn’t have any settings, inlays or onlays, it is sometimes possible to have the ring size increased a little, by stretching the ring through a jeweler. If the ring has a sizing gap, it’s also often possible to cut the ring and add or remove a little bit of silver or gold to increase or decrease the size of the ring and solder it back together again. You should always get advice from a professional jeweler, before you decide what to do.
| Inside diameter | Inside circumference | Sizes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in) | (mm) | (in) | (mm) | USA & Canada | UK & Europe | Asia | Switzerland |
| 0.554 | 14.07 | 1.74 | 44.2 | 3 | F | 4 | 4.25 |
| 0.562 | 14.27 | 1.77 | 44.8 | 3¼ | F½ | 5 | 4.75 |
| 0.57 | 14.48 | 1.79 | 45.5 | 3½ | G | 5.5 | |
| 0.578 | 14.68 | 1.82 | 46.1 | 3¾ | G½ | 6 | 6 |
| 0.586 | 14.88 | 1.84 | 46.8 | 4 | H | 7 | 6.75 |
| 0.594 | 15.09 | 1.87 | 47.4 | 4¼ | H½ | 7.5 | |
| 0.602 | 15.29 | 1.89 | 48 | 4½ | I | 8 | 8 |
| 0.61 | 15.49 | 1.92 | 48.7 | 4¾ | J | 8.75 | |
| 0.618 | 15.7 | 1.94 | 49.3 | 5 | J½ | 9 | 9.25 |
| 0.626 | 15.9 | 1.97 | 50 | 5¼ | K | 10 | |
| 0.634 | 16.1 | 1.99 | 50.6 | 5½ | K½ | 10 | 10.5 |
| 0.642 | 16.31 | 2.02 | 51.2 | 5¾ | L | 11.25 | |
| 0.65 | 16.51 | 2.04 | 51.9 | 6 | L½ | 11 | 11.75 |
| 0.658 | 16.71 | 2.07 | 52.5 | 6¼ | M | 12 | 12.5 |
| 0.666 | 16.92 | 2.09 | 53.1 | 6½ | M½ | 13 | 13.25 |
| 0..674 | 17.12 | 2.12 | 53.8 | 6¾ | N | 13.75 | |
| 0.682 | 17.32 | 2.14 | 54.4 | 7 | N½ | 14 | 14.5 |
| 0.69 | 17.53 | 2.17 | 55.1 | 7¼ | O | 15 | |
| 0.698 | 17.73 | 2.19 | 55.7 | 7½ | O½ | 15 | 15.75 |
| 0.706 | 17.93 | 2.22 | 56.3 | 7 | P | 16.25 | |
| 0.714 | 18.14 | 2.24 | 57 | 8 | P½ | 16 | 17 |
| 0.722 | 18.34 | 2.27 | 57.6 | 8¼ | Q | 17.5 | |
| 0.73 | 18.54 | 2.29 | 58.3 | 8½ | Q½ | 17 | 18.25 |
| 0.738 | 18.75 | 2.32 | 58.9 | 8¾ | R | 19 | |
| 0.746 | 18.95 | 2.34 | 59.5 | 9 | R½ | 18 | 19.5 |
| 0.754 | 19.15 | 2.37 | 60.2 | 9¼ | S | 20.25 | |
| 0.762 | 19.35 | 2.39 | 60.8 | 9½ | S½ | 19 | 20.75 |
| 0.77 | 19.56 | 2.42 | 61.4 | 9¾ | T | 21.5 | |
| 0.778 | 19.76 | 2.44 | 62.1 | 10 | T½ | 20 | 22 |
| 0.786 | 19.96 | 2.47 | 62.7 | 10¼ | U | 21 | 22.75 |
| 0.794 | 20.17 | 2.49 | 63.4 | 10½ | U½ | 22 | 23.25 |
| 0.802 | 20.37 | 2.52 | 64 | 10¾ | V | 24 | |
| 0.81 | 20.57 | 2.54 | 64.6 | 11 | V½ | 23 | 24.75 |
| 0.818 | 20.78 | 2.57 | 65.3 | 11¼ | W | 25.25 | |
| 0.826 | 20.98 | 2.59 | 65.9 | 11½ | W½ | 24 | 26 |
| 0.834 | 21.18 | 2.62 | 66.6 | 11¾ | X | 26.5 | |
| 0.842 | 21.39 | 2.65 | 67.2 | 12 | X½ | 25 | 27.25 |
| 0.85 | 21.59 | 2.67 | 67.8 | 12¼ | Y | 27.75 | |
| 0.858 | 21.79 | 2.7 | 68.5 | 12½ | Z | 26 | 28.5 |
| 0.866 | 22 | 2.72 | 69.1 | 12¾ | Z½ | 29 | |
| 0.874 | 22.2 | 2.75 | 69.7 | 13 | 27 | 29.75 | |
| 0.882 | 22.4 | 2.77 | 70.4 | 13¼ | Z1 | 30.5 | |
| 0.89 | 22.61 | 2.8 | 71 | 13½ | 31 | ||
| 0.898 | 22.81 | 2.82 | 71.7 | 13¾ | Z2 | 31.75 | |
| 0.906 | 23.01 | 2.85 | 72.3 | 14 | Z3 | 32.25 | |
| 0.914 | 23.22 | 2.87 | 72.9 | 14¼ | 33 | ||
| 0.922 | 23.42 | 2.9 | 73.6 | 14½ | Z4 | 33.5 | |
| 0.93 | 23.62 | 2.92 | 74.2 | 14¾ | 34.25 | ||
| 0.938 | 23.83 | 2.95 | 74.8 | 15 | 34.75 | ||
| 0.946 | 24.03 | 2.97 | 75.5 | 15¼ | 35.5 | ||
| 0.954 | 24.23 | 3 | 76.1 | 15½ | 36.25 | ||
| 0.962 | 24.43 | 3.02 | 76.8 | 15¾ | 36.75 | ||
| 0.97 | 24.64 | 3.05 | 77.4 | 16 | 37.5 | ||
Depending on your wrist and how wide you would like the gap to be, our bracelets usually fit a wrist that has a circumference of between 1/4 of an inch or 1/2 a centimeter smaller and up to 1/2 an inch or 1.3 centimeters larger than the posted length of our bracelets.
Please note: These are estimates and we cannot guarantee a perfect fit. Of course you can always contact us and we will be glad to help and work with you.
A paddle can be hung in several ways depending on the space you wish to hang it.
In the gallery we tie a black cotton string just under the handle around the neck of the paddle and hang it by the string vertically on a hook coated with rubber, so that it doesn't scratch the back of the handle. The handle is on top, and the tip of the paddle is pointed down.
A paddle may also be hung horizontally or angled, suspended in the air from the wall or ceiling, using transparent fishing line. Just loop two fishing lines around, one on either end of the paddle, to hold it in place.
Some museums have a holder fabricated that is lined with felt and will hold the paddle tight in the middle and screw it to the wall. That way you can hang it any way you like. You would need a metal fabricator to make this holder.
If you have any more questions please email us at info@spiritsofthewestcoast.com
Argillite is a dense, black, carbonaceous shale known as kwawhlahl in the Haida language. It is found exclusively at a creek on Slatechuck Mountain (Tllgaduu randlaay) on Graham Island, the largest island in the Haida Gwaii archipelago.
Once the stone is cut from the hillside, it must be backpacked down the mountain on foot before it is carved. Argillite carvings have been prized around the world since the 1800s when the Haida began selling pieces to sailors. Today, Haida carvers continue the tradition.
For those who wish to know more about this beautiful and unique sculptural tradition, Carol Sheehan's book 'Breathing Stone' is an excellent resource on contemporary Haida argillite carving and is available in the gallery.Please note, argillite is a fragile stone. Avoid knocking argillite against hard or sharp surfaces as it can scratch or chip. If handled with care, argillite pieces will be enjoyed for many years to come.
Abalone is a unique type of snail that lives in the ocean. It comes from the family of Haliotidae. It’s common name, abalone, comes from the Spanish term aulon or aulone.
The First Nations peoples of the Northwest Coast consider abalone a valuable and sacred material. It is often used to create objects of prestige and status, such as chief's headdresses, bracelets, and earrings. Abalone shells are also used to create intricate inlay designs, which often have symbolic meaning.
Traditionally abalone was obtained through trade with other coastal groups, or through harvesting by the Indigenous peoples of the region. The shells were harvested from the rocky shores of the Pacific Northwest, and the process of collecting them was considered a sacred activity.
In addition to its ceremonial and spiritual significance, abalone was also used for practical purposes. Abalone shells were used as a source of food and it was also used to create tools such as knives, hooks, and needles.
Today, abalone continues to be an important part of Pacific Northwest Coast culture. Many Indigenous artists continue to work with abalone and use it in contemporary art and cultural revitalization efforts. Abalone art and artifacts are also highly valued by collectors and museums.
Overfishing and poaching have reduced wild populations to such an extent that farmed abalone now supplies most of the abalone used, becoming a more sustainable option.
Jewelry containing abalone should be removed when showering. Avoid contact with soaps and chemicals, including polish, as they can dull the appearance of abalone.
Shipping Information
We ship internationally!
Free shipping on most items within Canada and the U.S.
The Shipping times mentioned below are estimates for orders that we have in our inventory and are not guaranteed . Shipping to the USA or other international locations may be delayed due to national customs organizations. These delays are not included in the shipping estimates mentioned and are out of our control.
If you have a specific shipping / delivery deadline, please call or email us, to make sure we have the item that you would like to order in stock.
Custom orders or orders for items that we don’t have in our inventory, or don’t have the exact size in stock, will take longer. It usually takes 2 – 4 weeks depending on the individual item and artist, to have individual items carved. Custom orders may take somewhat longer.
International Shipping - items may be subject to customs processing depending on the item's declared value.
Sellers set the item's declared value and must comply with customs declaration laws.
As the buyer, you should be aware of possible:
- delays from customs inspection.
- import duties and taxes which buyers must pay.
- brokerage fees payable at the point of delivery.
Your country's customs office can offer more details.
Regular Shipping:
We usually use Canada Post services without tracking information for our regular shipping option. The delivery standards for surface/air shipping are usually 2 - 9 business days (Canada), 5 - 12 business days (USA), 6 - 35 business days (Europe) and 6-35 business days to the other continents. If your shipping address is remote, delivery times may increase. These delivery standards are estimates and are not guaranteed.
Canada Post International Parcel Surface or Priority Worldwide Express Shipments:
If you would like to find a faster priority / express shipping service, than the ones mentioned in the shopping cart, or if shipping times are less important than the cost, please contact us for a custom shipping quote. Delivery dates mentioned below are approximations that do not include delays due to International Customs or unforeseen circumstances. The delivery standards for Priority™ Worldwide( Usually through FedEx ) are usually 2-3 business days (USA), 3-5 business days (Europe) and 4-6 business days to the other continents. The delivery standards for International Parcel Surface can be up to 7 weeks. If your shipping address is remote, delivery times may increase. These delivery standards are estimates and are not guaranteed.
Canada Post shipping services with tracking numbers can be tracked at the following website: http://www.canadapost.ca/cpotools/apps/track/personal/findByTrackNumber?execution=e1s1