Native American Carvings and Sculptures spiritsofthewestcoast | Raven and Sea Serpent Cedar Panel

This yellow cedar Raven and Sea Serpent Panel is titled 'Becoming Friends' and is carved by Cree and adopted Nuu-chah-nulth artist Joshua Prescott. The Panel features a Sea Serpent design on the top of the panel and a Raven design beneath. Design elements representing feathers, talons, claws, and snout are embedded within a Northwest Coast formline design. The panel is enhanced by cedar bark twine and features 7 round and 4 rectangular abalone inlays. The panel is beautifully carved with a hand-tooled surface finish that reflects Joshua's clean and precise style of carving.

Mischievous and curious, the Raven plays many important roles in Pacific Northwest Coast Culture. For some, he symbolizes creation, transformation, knowledge, prestige as well as the complexity of nature and the subtlety of truth. He also symbolizes the unknown and shows that every person sees the world in a different way.

Find more information about and examples of The Raven Northwest Coast First Nations symbol.

The Sisiutl or Sea Serpent symbolizes protection, supernatural power and revival. It is one of the most powerful symbols in Kwakwaka’wakw culture. The Sisiutl/Sisiulth is a supernatural three-headed serpent that possesses shapeshifting abilities and the ability to turn spectators into stone when gazed upon.

Find more information about and examples of The Sisiutl Northwest Coast First Nations symbol.

The panel is about 2 feet or over 60 centimeters in diameter and 1 1/2 inches or 4 centimeters thick.