Brooch

About this object

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).

Physical description

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.