This Beaver sculpture is hand-carved in argillite by Haida artist Melanie Russ. Rich in detail, the central Beaver figure features a Frog perched atop its head, while a human face is intricately carved into the tail.

The Beaver Symbol teaches people to be productive and not limit their options. He teaches us to be persistent and to use available resources. The Beaver helps people understand the dynamics of teamwork and to appreciate each individual’s talents and contributions in order to accomplish anything.

Find more information about and examples of Northwest Coast First Nations symbol.

The carving, including the base, measures approximately 4 1/8 inches or 10 1/2 centimeters high, 1 7/8 inches or 4 3/4 centimeters wide, and 1 7/8 inches or 4 3/4 centimeters deep.

The last image shows Melanie holding the sculpture.