Lionel Samuels (First Nations, Haida, Canada, 1963 to present) ca. 2012 CE, "Orca Whale." This is a striking hand carved argillite sculpture of a sacred orca whale inlaid with jasper stones and abalone shells. The base is engraved with the artist's signature "SAMUELS." The orca is a 3-dimensional piece that is interesting to view from all angles and carved entirely from one piece of argillite! The back tail fins and front flippers support the orca on a textured, ridged base that represents water, as the whale leaps forward. The arched body is skillfully sculpted with relief and incised patterning while the shimmering abalone and red jasper accent the glossy black surface. The open mouth reveals a row of sharp shell teeth! This orca is a beautiful tribute to the traditional stories and culture of Haida people. Size: 9" L x 3.5" W x 10" H (22.9 cm x 8.9 cm x 25.4 cm)

Lionel Dexter Samuels is a Haida artisan of the Raven Clan, and comes from a family of artists; he is the grandson of the renowned argillite carver Captain Andrew Brown. As a child he began carving under the mentor George Yeltache and has been a professional carver since the 1980s. Samuels also works as a professional argillite restorer for the Smithsonian in Washington DC and the Royal British Museum in Victoria BC.

This piece has been searched against the Art Loss Register database and has been cleared. The Art Loss Register maintains the world's largest database of stolen art, collectibles, and antiques.

Provenance: private Phelps collection, Alamo, California, USA

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#167036

Chips to front fin and sides of body, otherwise intact and very good. Minor surface wear and scratches. Engraved signature on the base by the artist with a secondary paper label on base as well.