Screen Printed Bentwood Box | Salmon by James Michels

Hand made and printed by Metis/Cree artist James Michels with glorious, golden yellow cedar this Bentwood Box is definitively West Coast! 

Bentwood Boxes are unique to the Northwest Coast First Nations Peoples of British Columbia and are used for ceremonial and practical purposes; from burial boxes for ancestors to storage of clothing and household items. Bentwood Boxes are made by seamlessly steam bending a plank of cedar to create the box form. Lattimer Gallery hosts a stunning collection of handcarved Bentwood Boxes including James Michels. Check them out at Lattimer Gallery online. 

The Salmon is a symbol of abundance, wealth and prosperity because Salmon is the primary food source for Northwest Coastal people, representing the ability to provide for your family.  Salmon are Supernatural beings who give up their life to feed our people.  We hold them in high esteem and honour their return every year.

James Michels began his carving career in 1994, shortly after working as a carpenter. He now specializes in making bentwood cedar boxes, and carving and painting them in Northwest Coast style. Many of his pieces contain inlays of abalone. He also creates panels, works by commission and every year he is a key contributor to Lattimer Gallery's Annual Charity Bentwood Box Event.

Dimensions: 5" x 4 1/4" x 4 1/4"

Materials: Yellow Cedar, Acrylic

Each bentwood box comes with information on the design and a biography on the artist. 

MADE IN CANADA