Vintage Tribal Carved Red Pipestone Catlinite Bear Pipe Bowl Only With No Stem. Artwork by Master Carver William Billy Bryan 'Big Eagle'

About this Piece:

Vintage Carved Red Pipestone Catlinite Bear Pipe Bowl (No Stem) by Master Carver William Billy Bryan AKA Big Eagle.

This beautiful Red Pipestone (Catlinite) bear fetish pipe bowl was made by Master Carver Billy Bryan 'Big Eagle' (1942-2012,) who was a beloved and respected third generation pipe and fetish carver and well-known Dakota Native.

Art work is offered available as pictured here from private collection and Signed by Big Eagle on the base.

About the Artist:

When William Bryan died of a heart attack Oct. 14 at the age of 70 it marked the end of an era at the pipestone quarries - 'Big Eagle' Bill was a third generation quarrier and pipe stone (catlinite) pipe maker and fetish carver. His parents, George “Standing Eagle” and Clara Bryan, both had a family history of pipemaking. George’s father, William Bryan, made pipes and so did Clara’s father, Moses Crow! Crow taught George the craft and George passed it on to his sons, William and Richard who are both well known for their works.

As a Craftsman and Artist Bill Bryan was a highly respected third-generation pipemaker known for his masterful craftsmanship and deep connection to the sacred tradition of quarrying and carving pipestone. He followed in the footsteps of his ancestors generational knowledge and a deep respect of oral traditions in his craftsmanship. Born into a family of well renowned pipemakers, he learned the art from his father, George “Standing Eagle” Bryan, and spent more than 40 years perfecting his unique buffalo and bear pipe designs until his passing in 2012. 

Native handcrafted and sold by the original artist to private collector (this item is not a tribal artifact but a more modern work of art). Tribal Affiliation: Chippewa/Ojebwe. Origin: Minnesota