Gold brooch of a killer whale. Head is large, body relatively small, with a large front flipper and tail flukes. Dorsal fin angles slightly back. Abalone inlays are used for teeth, large eye, a strip down the back, and ovoids on each fin and tail. The back has a brooch pin running from the nose to the fin. HAIDA ART / Reid inscription on back.

• Narrative

  Purchased by the donor from The Quest, in Victoria, in 1963. Item number 16 in the catalogue "Bill Reid: a Retrospective Exhibition" (1974; Vancouver Art Gallery). Apparently Reid said the abalone pieces for this brooch were provided to him by Audrey Hawthorn (MOA, UBC).

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• Type of Item brooch
• Culture Haida
• Material gold metal, abalone shell
• Measurements height 4.5 cm, width 6.3 cm, depth 0.3 cm (overall)

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• Creator Bill Reid
• Previous Owner Margaret Hess
• Received from Margaret Hess

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• Made in British Columbia

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• Creation Date between 1959 and 1960
• Ownership Date before August 15, 2017
• Acquisition Date on August 15, 2017

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• Item Classes metalwork
• Condition excellent
• Current Location Case 16
• Accession Number 3258/0010