Large hollow oval bead with two short cylindrical tubes on either end. Braided design engraved in centre and either end, with two bands of silver and gold curlicue designs in between.

Tall cone shaped hat with two thin rectangular pieces with rounded ends hanging from each side. Hat is red with black trim and has a thick red rope-like trim around the outside, culminating in a loop at pinnacle of hat. The hat is decorated with triangle appliques and gold threaded swirl designs. The points of each triangle applique have tufts of green, light brown, and burgundy thread.

Gold raven bracelet; hand cut and repoussé elements on head, body and wing ovoids. The raven faces right with its body and wings wrapping all around the bracelet. The bracelet raven is essentially the same raven as the matching brooch except wrapped around the wrist, with the body lengthened, the wing feathers lengthened and the wings and feet tucked in more.The hinge is at the end of the tail feathers and the end of the raven’s right wing feathers; the clasp is a right wing ovoid. Inscription on hidden clasp: “HAIDA ART Reid. Bracelet is part of a set with brooch and earrings (2923/2-3 a-b).

Pair of screw-on gold raven earrings. On one the raven faces right and on the other the raven faces left. The raven image is similar but modified, compared to the matching brooch--the head is more downturned and only one wing is shown on each, but they are very detailed. Earrings are part of a set with bracelet and brooch (2923/1-2). Inscription on one earring is "Haida Art," on the other is "Reid."

Gold raven brooch, with the raven facing left; hand-engraved. Brooch is part of a set with bracelet and earrings (2923/1, 3 a-b). Inscription on back "HAIDA ART Reid."

Frog brooch. A small brooch in the shape of a frog with all four legs extended (the left, rear leg extends further than the right). The pin features two large eyes, a wide mouth, and a bony framework outlined on the back. The surface is lightly stippled. The long pin on the reverse of the brooch extends diagonally from the left, front leg to the right, hind leg. Faint hand inscription on underside, in centre: “R'70 A/P”.

While we do not know the significance of the figures on these gold pendants, the mixture of human and animal attributes suggests a mythical and supernatural universe. The ornaments were worn on necklaces, perhaps by political and religious leaders who recognized and valued their symbolism. The representations of anthropomorphic animals may allude to the transformative powers of shamans or their spirit helpers as they journey to supernatural realms.


Aunque no conocemos el significado de las figuras en estos pendientes de oro, la mezcla de atributos humanos y animales sugiere un universo mítico y sobrenatural. Los ornamentos eran llevados en collares, quizás por líderes políticos y religiosos que reconocían y valoraban su simbolismo. Las representaciones de animales antropomórficos pueden aludir a los poderes transformadores de los chamanes o de sus ayudantes espirituales en sus viajes a los reinos sobrenaturales.

Gift of the Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc.

Gift of the Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc.

Bequest of Mrs. Carl L. Selden