Up and down the Pacific Coast swims a shapeshifter, a color-changer, an enigmatic deep-dweller: the giant Pacific octopus. Known for its intelligence, characteristic eight arms (not tentacles!), and ink defense, the Ts'msyen (Tsimshian) people of Alaska have a long history with the octopus—ha̱ts'a̱l in the Sm'algya̱x language. Master carver and Ts'msyen artist David Robert Boxley has raised this mysterious creature from the cold depths to share part of its story on the Octopus Mug.
"In my culture, different family clans have different crests that differentiate them from one another. It's thanks to the octopus that the Ts'msyen know animals have crests, too," shares David. "One of our origin stories is about four groups of orcas attacking a giant octopus, and because each pod had different shaped fins, it showed they had their own clans—their own crests."
In his Octopus Mug, David has rendered the gracefully curving lines of an octopus's arms in classic Northwest Coast formline, with its intelligent face and piercing gaze opposite the mug's handle. Because the design is embossed, the octopus has a delightfully tactile quality, perhaps echoing an octopus's own playful exploration of its surroundings.
One final fact? "My people still use an older English term that isn't commonly used anymore anywhere else for octopus," shares David. "We call it devilfish." Whether you like your morning cup of coffee devilishly dark or angelically sweet, it's sure to taste better in your authentic Native-designed Octopus Mug.
Start your morning the Inspired Natives way: with a cup of coffee in your authentic Native-designed mug by David Robert Boxley and Eighth Generation!
Washington-born, globally produced.
Product Details:
- 4"x4" / 16 oz.
- Dishwasher and microwave safe
- White glaze
- Each mug is packaged in a branded black box, perfect for gifting
About the Artist:
David Robert Boxley (Ts'msyen/Tsimshian) comes from the village of Metlakatla, Alaska, growing up there and in Kingston, Washington. He first began to learn how to carve at the age of 6 from his father, renowned Tsimshian artist and culture bearer, David A. Boxley. He has since studied under Master Haida carver, Robert Davidson, and, after moving away for a period of time, has returned to live in his village to help in the efforts to save his people's language. He is now the Co-chair of The Haayk Foundation, which works to preserve and revitalize Tsimshian language, history, and traditions.
