Canadian First Nations, Hand Carved Sterling Silver 1/4" Bear Hoop shipping Stud Earrings, Indigenous Native Jewellery, Coast Salish

These bear hoop stud earrings are hand-carved by Coast Salish artist Gilbert Pat. He has used sterling silver to create them.

Each earring has a width of 0.25" and a diameter of 0.75".


BEARS SYMBOLIZE: STRENGTH, COURAGE, PARENTHOOD

Bear is an important family crest associated with shipping motherhood and children. Legend tells the story of a human woman who married a bear and gave birth to twin cubs who grew up to be powerful chiefs. Bears hibernate in the same den making a home for their cubs and are known to fight fiercely to protect their young. Bears can be gentle, playful and quiet. Traditionally, it is believed bears understand human speech, thus they are referred to as “Elder Kinsman”.


Born in 1945 in Sardis, British Columbia, Gilbert is Coast Salish. He later moved to Alert Bay on Cormorant Island near the North-eastern tip of Vancouver Island. Gilbert studied carving under Lloyd Wadhams Sr. Gilbert's style of fine detailing, and craftsmanship has made his work highly sought after. Gilbert married a Kwakwaka'wakw woman from Alert Bay and they have two sons. Jeff and Jason, to whom he taught the art of jewellery carving. He and his family now live in Victoria where he works in his studio.


Please let us know if you have any questions.