Re: Snake ring, Mystery solved
It's been almost a year since posting this odd ring. I accidentally came across some pics of the ring today and did a 'BING' search and saw this post. Bigcypresshunter had posted a Tlingit Indian designed bracelet with the MAG hallmark. A few more searches for Tlingit jewelry revealed the answer. The ring was designed in the 1940's by Bill J. Wilson, a Tlingit Indian chief, who's now deceased. It's called a Raven ring and the markings may be a type of totem. The Raven was the cultural hero of the Northwest Coast Native Americans. He was attributed with supernatural powers and could transform into any thing at any time. There are several sites that sell copies made from his original dies. Some if not all the copies have his name along with the MAG (metal arts group) hallmark stamped on the inside. Though the carving or stamping on my ring looks sharper than the copies being sold now, more than likely it isn’t an original.
Copy for sale-
http://www.davidmorgan.com/product_info.php?products_id=946
History about Bill Wilson.
Bill J. Wilson was Tlingit Chief of the Choo Ka Na Dee Clan. He was born at Dundas Bay, Alaska in his parent's fishing camp. Raised in Hoonah, where he was a fisherman, trapper and hunter all of his life, he learned the art of carving totem poles and engraving bracelets from his father, Jacob. In the 1940's, with the encouragement of his wife Elsie, he began to take his engraving seriously and his pieces became highly sought after by national dignitaries such as Mrs. Mamie Eisenhower. Mr. Wilson has since passed away but his art continues to live on through our collection.
More about what the Raven meant to the NW coast Indians.
The most important of all creatures to the Northwest coast Indian peoples was the Raven. He took many forms to many peoples — the Transformer, the cultural hero, the trickster, the Big Man. Full of magical powers, the Raven could transform himself into anything. He put the sun in the sky, the fish in the sea, the salmon into the rivers. His antics were often motivated by greed, and he loved to tease, to cheat, to woo, and to trick.
One mystery solved, hundred to go.
Hard to get good focused pics
