CMC Killer Whale Keychain
Designed by Christian White, a Haida from the Queen Charlotte Islands (Haida Gwaii), this piece is inspired by Haida stories. "Each time," says Christian, "I hear a Haida story again I'm inspired by a new part that I've never understood before. There's a constant renewal of ideas for me." The original, carved in argillite, is part of the Canadian Museum of History's Haida Gwaii collection. The size of this keychain is 2 inches long by 1 inch wide and ¾ inch thick. Natural resin composite. The color is Black. Made in Canada.
Designed by Christian White, a Haida from the Queen Charlotte Islands (Haida Gwaii), this piece is inspired by Haida stories. "Each time," says Christian, "I hear a Haida story again I'm inspired by a new part that I've never understood before. There's a constant renewal of ideas for me." The original, carved in argillite, is part of the Canadian Museum of History's Haida Gwaii collection. The size of this keychain is 2 inches long by 1 inch wide and ¾ inch thick. Natural resin composite. The color is Black. Made in Canada.
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The Haida carvings in argillite are some of the finest presentations of totemic art. These reproductions are well made from original work in Canada, made in a natural resin composite with the heft and finish of the originals. These museum quality reproductions of the older work are available in a range of styles that can be more casually displayed so that the art can be enjoyed on an everyday basis. The reproductions are made by Boma, a Canadian company producing a range of collectibles and giftware.
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Whales, a common motif in the art of the Northwest Coast peoples, were the subject of countless stories and legends. One story held that a whale could capture a canoe and drag it and the people aboard down to an underwater Village of the Whales. These people were then transformed into whales themselves. The Haida believed that whales seen near villages were these drowned people trying to communicate with the villagers. A Tlingit legend tells that the first orcas (killer whales) were carved from yellow cedar and sent into the ocean with instructions to be friendly towards people. The killer whales guide the Indians towards fish and are helpful except when they are treated discourteously.
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Christian White was born in 1962 in Queen Charlotte City, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia) and grew up in Old Masset. He is from the Dadens Yahgulaanas Raven Clan and his Haida name is "Kilthguulans" (Voice of Gold). Carving since the age of 14, he has become well known for his work in argellite. Christian belongs to an extended family of practicing artists and cultural preservers, being taught by his father, Morris White and studying the works of his great-great grandfather, Charles Edenshaw.
