V. Bird "Salmon" - Masterfully Hand-Carved and Pai

Updated September 18, 2026

This auction ended on October 4, 2026. See upcoming auctions from Oakwood Auctions.

Lot number	487
Estimate	200.00 - 225.00 USD
Auction	October Art & Collectibles- 2-DAY Auction
Date	October 4, 2026 at 11:00 PM EDT
Auction house	Oakwood Auctions
Location	Stouffville

A striking and highly collectible hand-carved cedar wall panel by V. Bird, titled Salmon, masterfully capturing one of the most revered and enduring cultural symbols of the Pacific Northwest through an elegant interpretation of classic Northwest Coast formline design. Signed and titled au verso, this exceptional work measures an impressive 18 1/2 x 6 inches and demonstrates the artist's confident command of traditional Indigenous visual language while presenting a refined contemporary aesthetic that appeals equally to seasoned collectors of First Nations art, Northwest Coast carving, Canadian Indigenous sculpture, and museum-quality Pacific Northwest works. Expertly carved from solid cedar, the composition transforms the powerful silhouette of the salmon into an intricate network of precisely executed ovoids, U-forms, crescents, flowing negative space, and deeply incised contour lines. Rich forest green serves as the dominant field, beautifully contrasted by warm natural cedar carving lines and vibrant accents of traditional red-orange, cream, and black. The result is a composition of remarkable depth and movement, where every carved line reinforces the rhythm of the salmon's journey while maintaining exceptional visual balance. The sculptural relief catches light beautifully, emphasizing the crisp carving and creating a dynamic presence from every viewing angle. The salmon holds profound significance throughout the cultures of the Northwest Coast, symbolizing abundance, perseverance, renewal, prosperity, generosity, family, and the perpetual cycle of life. Revered for millennia by the Indigenous peoples of British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest, it remains among the most celebrated subjects in Northwest Coast art. V. Bird's interpretation successfully captures both the spiritual importance and visual power of this iconic creature, creating a work that is at once deeply rooted in tradition and highly decorative as fine art. The elongated horizontal format gives the carving exceptional architectural presence, making it ideally suited for prominent display above a fireplace, console, entryway, library, office, or within a curated collection of Northwest Coast Indigenous art. The sophisticated color palette, bold sculptural profile, and instantly recognizable formline vocabulary make this an especially desirable example that displays beautifully whether exhibited individually or alongside works by other respected Pacific Northwest Indigenous artists. Collectors actively seek finely executed signed cedar carvings depicting traditional Northwest Coast subjects, particularly salmon, whose universal symbolism and enduring cultural importance have made them among the most desirable motifs within the field. Signed and titled examples possessing strong visual impact, generous scale, and excellent craftsmanship such as this are increasingly difficult to acquire and remain highly attractive to collectors seeking authentic Indi

V. Bird "Salmon" - Masterfully Hand-Carved and Pai

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