Pair of Hand Carved Soapstone Owl

     These are a pair of hand caved soapstone Owls that was carved by Rita Willis from the Tsawwassen First Nation or also called Tsawout First Nation Indian tribe. They were located in the Greater Vancouver area of the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Canada, adjacent to the South Arm of the Fraser River and the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal and just north of the international boundary with the United States at Point Roberts, Washington. The tribe’s name “Tsawwassen” means “land facing the sea”. For thousands of years Tsawwassen people travelled the Lower Fraser River, and Salish Sea. According to the legends from their forefathers, “people dropped down from heaven” and each one of these people had a specific trade, like a carver, a hunter, a fisherman, etc. and each one benefited one another to sustain themselves. They traded amongst each other with their skills and/or products. I could not find much on the artist Rita Willis. What I did find out is  Keith E. Willis is a listed Canadian First Nation artisan from Vancouver Island. The age on these Owls is unknown. Soapstone is a soft stone easy to carve by hand. It is called soapstone for the main reason it feels like soap and is a little sticky like soap. These two Owls are nicely caved with no damages, they are in excellent condition. One is a little taller and a little bigger than the other.