Haida argillite killer whale and thunderbird argillite and sterling silver box done by Haida artist Ding Hutchingson on a dark background
Silver formline killer whale carving inset in blackstone on a dark background.
human face carved in black stone holing an object in their hands with rope like carvings on the black stone below.
Thunderbird carved in a black glossy stone with formline patterns on a dark background.
A close-up of a dark carved argillite depicting a killer whale with a person on its back, set against a very dark background.
A black stone carving of a killer whale with other creatures fading into the background.
Close-up of a black stone carving with a thunderbird and human figure on top of an orca.
An ornately carved box of black material and sterling silver on a dark blue background.
Back corner of a box carved with Haida designs on a dark blue background.
An artistic box showing the back of an animal with feathers and an orca and bird carved into the sterling silver.
A hand lifts up the lid of an argillite box with a dark background.
Haida argillite killer whale and thunderbird argillite and sterling silver box done by Haida artist Ding Hutchingson on a dark background
Silver formline killer whale carving inset in blackstone on a dark background.
human face carved in black stone holing an object in their hands with rope like carvings on the black stone below.
Thunderbird carved in a black glossy stone with formline patterns on a dark background.
A close-up of a dark carved argillite depicting a killer whale with a person on its back, set against a very dark background.
A black stone carving of a killer whale with other creatures fading into the background.
Close-up of a black stone carving with a thunderbird and human figure on top of an orca.
An ornately carved box of black material and sterling silver on a dark blue background.
Back corner of a box carved with Haida designs on a dark blue background.
An artistic box showing the back of an animal with feathers and an orca and bird carved into the sterling silver.
A hand lifts up the lid of an argillite box with a dark background.

Haida Argillite Carving Thunderbird and Killer Whale Box by Ding Hutchingson

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Locally Made
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Description

Discover this one-of-a-kind Haida argillite carving by Haida artist Ding Hutchingson.

A woman goes down to the shoreline to do her laundry in the shallow waters. Unexpecting of the killer whale rising beneath her, in a single moment, she is lifted and carried away by a killer whale while a thunderbird circles above, observing. In normal circumstances, a killer whale is a thunderbird’s prey, but instead, this scene captures the thunderbird’s curiosity and confusion. This distinct moment in time is captured in stone by the artist. Will the thunderbird devour the scene, or let the pair pass? A frog positioned at each of the box's four corners bears witness to this suspenseful and curious event.

Ding Hutchingson, a Haida Nation artist in his late 60s, is known for his ornate argillite carvings. He is inspired by scenes personally observed in nature, adding his own narrative influenced by the Haida worldview of the interconnectedness of the land, waters, and supernaturals. 

His works feature elaborate details and are finished over a multi-year period, during which Hutchingson meticulously perfects each piece in his home studio in Skidegate, Haida Gwaii. With a background in jewelry engraving, Hutchingson is aware of the exacting demands of designing in miniature. This piece features thrilling details expected in a masterwork argillite carving, including a hand-tooled stone finish, a rope finish around the edge of the argillite lid, the delicacy and detail of the woman's hair, the elongated forms of the supernatural beings, and hand-engraved sterling silver further documenting the thunderbird and killer whale. 

Material: Haida Gwaii argillite, sterling silver

Dimensions: 5.5" length x 3.5" width x 7.5" height

Year: 2025

Additional notes: This piece is a functional box with a lid that lifts up. 

About the Artist: Born to the Raven Clan of Skedans, Haida Gwaii, Haida artist Ding Hutchingson learned to carve from his uncle, Chief of Skedans. His crests are the mountain goat, grizzly bear, two-finned killer whale, and the moon. Hutchingson has been carving for more than 45 years and enjoyed an early career in jewelry engraving, producing work for galleries across British Columbia. His focus in his retirement years has been creating and perfecting masterworks in argillite box carvings. 

See more artwork by Ding Hutchingson or explore our Haida argillite collection and Haida art. 
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