William (Bill) Ronald Reid (Canadian, 1920-1998)
Leaping Killer Whale
Sterling silver sculpture, edition #1 of 10 in silver, mounted on argillite base, marked "Sterling/Reid '72/1/10"
 
References:
Canadian Museum of Civilization  (#VII-8-1587 S82-261)
 
Provenance:
Purchased at Arts of the Raven Shop, September 1972
Private Collection, B.C.
 
Size in inches: 3.25 h x 1.75 w x 2.5 d
R20406
 
Created in 1972, based on the Killer Whale Box with Beaver and Human, 1971, in the Collection of the Royal BC Museum, Victoria (13902) worked in gold which was for the travelling exhibit "The Legacy". The sculpture is shaped using the lost wax method.
 
Bill Reid strove to express his ancestral Haida mythological forms in a contemporary form. His work played a pivotal role in the rebirth of Haida art, re-introducing techniques and principles previously lost to Haida artists. Using his training at Ryerson University he was able to introduce traditional jewellery techniques such as repousse and lost- wax, and metalwork became his preferred medium which also brought the most acclaim.