Original hand-carved and painted wooden salmon wall plaque signed Charles Harper, attributed to the Kwakwaka’wakw (Kwakiutl) Indigenous artistic tradition of the Pacific Northwest Coast, dating approximately to the 1980s–1990s.

The substantial fish-shaped carving features traditional Northwest Coast-inspired formline decoration with deeply carved scales, fins, and facial details. Bold black and natural wood tones are accented with vivid red and green painted elements, emphasizing the salmon’s stylized head, eye, gills, and flowing body.

The reverse retains its natural wood finish and original hanging hardware, along with a handwritten inscription reading “Kwakiutl Salmon by Charles Harper.”

Acquired by the original owners circa late 80s-90s and retained in the same family collection since purchase.

Charles Harper (b. 1955) began his artistic career in 1974 and is known for his Northwest Coast Indigenous designs, carved wooden sculptures, totem poles, and fine jewelry. Salmon hold significant cultural importance among Northwest Coast Indigenous peoples, appearing throughout regional artistic traditions as symbols associated with sustenance, abundance, and renewal.

Measures approx. 22.5 in. wide x 11 in. tall.

Very Good vintage condition with light surface wear and minor scuffs consistent with age and display; carved details and painted decoration remain well preserved, with no obvious breaks, major chips, or repairs. Original hanging hardware and handwritten artist inscription remain on the reverse.

𝟤𝟢% 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘢𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘚𝘢𝘭𝘮𝘰𝘯 𝘊𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳, 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘴𝘢𝘭𝘮𝘰𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘩𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘐𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘕𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘗𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤.