The Canada Auction

June 0409, 2022
Auction begins to close at 8:00 pm ET

Online Auction
LOT 81

Lot 81

RAYMOND STEVENS (1953-1981)

RAYMOND STEVENS (1953-1981)
Lot 81 Details
RAYMOND STEVENS (1953-1981), Haida

FROG PENDANT

sterling silver
signed, 1978
1.25 x 1 in — 3.2 x 2.5 cm;
6 grams

Estimate $800-$1,200

Realised: $2,400
Price Includes Buyer's Premium ?

Lot Report

Additional Images
RAYMOND STEVENS (1953-1981)
  • RAYMOND STEVENS (1953-1981)
Provenance:

Private collection, Ontario

Note:

The adopted son of renowned late 20th century Haida artist Bill Reid and his wife Mabel Stevens, Raymond Stevens (born Raymond Cross) was an exceptionally talented artist working in argillite and silver. His work gained significant recognition during his lifetime despite his early and tragic death at the age of 28. Raymond’s biological parents were Nisga’a and Haida. [1] At a young age he was exposed to the teachings of the important Haida artist Rufus Moody, as well as Robert Cross, and his biological brother Nelson Cross.

Stevens’ compositions are characterised by exquisite crosshatching and fine detail. Of the small body of work produced during his lifetime, several examples of his silver pieces are held in the Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, and The Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Quebec. Artworks by Stevens were included in the celebrated 2006 Vancouver Art Gallery exhibition Raven Travelling: Two Centuries of Haida Art.

Working in a tradition of silver craft first established by Haida Chief Charles Edenshaw in the nineteenth century, here Stevens has produced a superbly composed pendant on a small scale bearing the image of a frog. The frog is heavily associated with Shamanism throughout the Northwest Coast, but has specific significance in Haida culture as a crest symbol of the Eagle moiety, where it is said to be a force of stability when carved on house poles. [2]

(1) Iljuwas Bill Reid. n.d. Art Canada Institute - Institut de l’Art Canadien. Click here to read more
(2) Hilary Stewart, Looking at Indian Art of the Northwest Coast. (Vancouver/Toronto: Douglas & MacIntyre, 1981), 68.

Related Works:
Museum of Anthropology, University of British Columbia, Cat. No. 3260/277, Click here to read more
Museum of Anthropology, University of British Columbia, Cat. No. 3260/233, Click here to read more
Canadian Museum of History, Cat. No. VII-B-1757. Click here to read more

CONDITION DETAILS

Only the most minute imperfections. Overall very good condition.

Please contact the specialist for further condition information.

LOT 81
×

About Condition Ratings

  • 5 Stars: Excellent - No discernable damage, flaws or imperfections
  • 4 Stars: Very Good - Minor flaws or imperfections visible only under close inspection using specialised instruments or black light
  • 3 Stars: Good - Minor flaws visible upon inspection under standard lighting
  • 2 Stars: Fair - Exhibits flaws or damage that may draw the eye under standard lighting
  • 1 Star: Poor - Flaws or damage immediately apparent under standard lighting (examples: missing components, rips, broken glass, damaged surfaces, etc.)

Note: Condition ratings and condition details are the subjective opinions of our specialists and should be used as a guide only. Waddington’s uses due care when preparing condition details, however, our staff are not professional restorers or conservators. Condition details and reports are not warranties and each lot is sold “as is” in accordance with the buyer’s terms and conditions of sale. In all cases the prospective purchaser is responsible for inspecting the property themselves prior to placing a bid.