Bill Reid Tray Appraisal

Haida Artist Bill Reid 'Killer Whale' Silverplate Serving Tray

This is a heavy, rectangular serving tray featuring indigenous Haida formline artwork, specifically a circular 'Killer Whale' (Orca) motif centrally located and surrounded by an embossed decorative border. The piece is crafted from a heavy base metal, likely pewter or a weighted silverplate, indicated by the user description 'massives/sehr schweres'. The tray bears a visible facsimile signature near the bottom left, characteristic of the renowned Canadian Haida artist Bill Reid. The surface displays a polished monochromatic silver-tone finish with notable age-related patina, including superficial surface scratches, light tarnish, and some possible oxidation spots typical of mid-to-late 20th-century silver-plated giftware. The craftsmanship shows crisp die-stamping or casting of the formline designs, maintaining the fluid geometric style of Northwest Coast art. This piece likely dates from the 1970s to the 1990s and represents a high-quality example of commercial Northwest Coast indigenous art reproduced for the heritage giftware market. The heavy weight and solid construction are indicative of a premium production line, often associated with manufacturers like Pan-Pacific or Boma who collaborated with prominent artists.