Chilkat Blanket - Silver Necklace with 23k Gold
Chilkat Blanket - Silver Necklace with 23k Gold
Sterling silver necklace and 23k yellow gold and oxidization
Chikat Pendant: 2 1/2" x 1 3/4"
Necklace: 11" on each side
From my childhood I wanted to be a Kwakiutl artist. My first piece of Northwest coast Indigenous art was a painting, which I did when I was 8 years old, which based on a Chilkat blanket that I saw in a National Geographic magazine. Ever since that time I have wanted to do another art work based on the Chilkat style design. I came upon the idea to make a pendant with a Chilkat style design, using 23K gold (96.5% pure) wire to symbolize the distinctive goats wool fringe. I then inlaid the eyes, not with abalone shell, but with 23K gold to compliment the gold “fringe”. The result is a one-of-a-kind necklace that pays homage to the Chilkat robes, which came to the Kwakwaka’wakw from the Tlingit people through marriage.
- David Neel
David Neel
CULTURAL GROUP:
Kwakwaka'wakw
BORN:
April 7, 1960
BIRTHPLACE:
Vancouver, BC
David Neel's crests are Thunderbird and Killerwhale. He comes from a family that is rich in history and artistic skill. His father is Dave Neel Sr., his great uncle is acclaimed artist Mungo Martin, his great-great-great grandfather is Charlie James, and his grandmother is renowned artist Ellen Neel. His widely exhibited work includes jewellery, masks, drums, poles, original paintings, limited edition prints, glass etching, regalia, and photos appearing in several magazines. David's formal training in Fine Arts was at the University of Kansas and at Mount Royal College, Alberta. Following a career as a professional photographer in Texas, David returned to Canada in the early 1990s, and conceived two important projects: one documenting works and images of First Nations elders, and the other promoting the revival of the Northwest Coast great dugout canoe. David's talents are diverse, and he is dedicated to promoting and preserving his Kwakwaka'wakw heritage. In 2019, he was featured in the landmark publication Understanding Northwest Coast Indigenous Jewelry by author Alex Dawkins. In 2020, he published his own book titled The Way Home which was nominated for the Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Prize for Nonfiction.
