Bernard Kerrigan — Northwest Coast Sterling Silver Double Salmon Bracelet
This 1985 sterling silver cuff by Bernard Kerrigan features a clean, flowing double salmon formline design. Each end of the bracelet carries a stylized salmon head with an ovoid eye and long snout, while elongated U-forms run the length of the band, representing the bodies of two salmon swimming in opposite directions. The composition gives the cuff a rhythmic, continuous motion that wraps the wrist like a stream in flow.
In Northwest Coast culture, Salmon symbolizes abundance, renewal, sustenance, and perseverance. Its return each year represents resilience, continuity, and gratitude for the resources that support family and community. This bracelet’s paired salmon imagery reinforces those themes: prosperity, balance, and the cyclical strength of returning to one’s source.
Kerrigan’s engraving shows crisp tool work—clean ovoids, tight cross-hatching, and long uninterrupted lines. Inside, the bracelet is engraved “Nelson 11-20-85”, giving it a documented 1985 date. The interior and exterior both hold a bright, mirror-polished finish consistent with Kerrigan’s style.
At 13.2 g and 12.7 mm wide, the piece has a refined, lighter profile suitable for everyday wear. The 12.06 cm circumference places this firmly in the small wrist category. Condition is excellent vintage: bright polish, light handling marks only, no dents or distortions. Silver tests as sterling.
Key Features
Artist: Bernard Kerrigan
Design: Double salmon formline pattern
Symbolism:
Salmon — abundance, renewal, seasonal return, perseverance
Material: Sterling silver (tested)
Weight: 13.2 g
Width: 12.7 mm
Interior Length / Fit: 12.06 cm — ideal for small wrists
Inscription: “Nelson 11-20-85”
Condition: Excellent; bright polish, minimal wear
A refined, flowing example of Kerrigan’s modernized formline work, combining clean geometry with culturally meaningful symbolism.
FAQ
Is it hand-carved?
Yes — the engraving shows depth variation, hand-cut ovoids, and tool-mark precision characteristic of hand work.
What wrist size will it fit?
Its 12.06 cm interior length makes it best for small wrists.
Is it sterling silver?
Yes, verified.
What does the salmon imagery mean?
Salmon represents abundance, renewal, sustenance, and the strength of returning after hardship.
Is Bernard Kerrigan a recognized artist?
Yes — Kerrigan is an established Northwest Coast silversmith whose bracelets are collected and well-regarded.