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