Sterling Frog Northwest Coast Formline Design popular Earrings

This listing is for one pair of sterling silver 'Frog' earrings by First Nations artist Val Malesku.

While significance varies from Nation to Nation, there are associated traits and representational qualities of the Frog that remain constant cross-culturally. Frog is a great communicator and usually represents the common ‘voice of the people.' As a being that can inhabit two worlds, the land and the sea, Frogs are often seen as being spiritually powerful and transcendent beings. Because of this, Frogs are often spirit helpers to Shamans. Similarly, their voice and songs are often seen as containing divine or magical qualities. Frogs are often represented as touching tongues or sharing a tongue with another creature in a representation of transformation or an exchange of information. Closely popular associated with Volcano Woman, or the Weeping Woman, there are many stories of young boys killing an innocent Frog – an act which causes Volcano Woman to erupt nearby volcanoes and destroy the village that the young men belong to if she does not receive recompense for taking the innocent life of the Frog. In most artistic representations, Frog can be identified by its flat nose; broad, toothless mouth; large, round, lidless eyes; a short body with bent legs, and elongated or webbed feet. Frog is often depicted with its tongue out as well.

Val Malesku was Cree but moved to Haida Gwaii in the late 1970s. She was a carver and painter, and began working in silver and gold in 1981. Val apprenticed with renowned Haida artist Bill Reid. Her unique designs combined the classic with contemporary in Cree and Northwest Coast styles. In 2005, she was featured in the 'Changing Hands: Art Without Reservation 2' exhibition at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York, NY. In 2013, Val released her first limited edition print, and in 2014, she released two open edition prints. She passed away in 2020 and her designs are now created by her estate.