How to Preserve Your Northwest Indigenous Carvings
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When you bring an authentic Northwest Coast Indigenous carving into your home, you're becoming a cultural steward responsible for preserving a piece of living heritage. These sacred cedar creations, crafted by skilled Indigenous artists using traditional methods, deserve care that honors both their cultural significance and material integrity.
Cedar, revered as the "Tree of Life" by Pacific Northwest Indigenous peoples, possesses natural properties that have allowed these cultures to create lasting artwork for thousands of years. However, even this resilient wood requires proper care to maintain its beauty and structural integrity across generations.
At Cheryl's Trading Post, we've guided countless collectors in preserving their Indigenous carvings. Understanding how to properly care for cedar ensures your pieces will continue telling their stories for years to come while maintaining their cultural and monetary value.
Understanding Cedar's Natural Properties
Why Cedar Was Chosen by Indigenous Cultures
Red cedar and yellow cedar weren't selected randomly by Northwest Coast Indigenous artists. These woods possess unique characteristics that make them ideal for carving while carrying deep spiritual significance:
Natural durability through oils that resist decay and insect damage, workability with straight grain that carves cleanly and holds fine detail, aromatic properties that connect the artwork to forest teachings, and spiritual significance as sacred relatives in Indigenous cosmology.
How Cedar Ages and Changes
Understanding cedar's natural aging process helps you provide appropriate care. Fresh cedar starts with a warm, reddish-brown color that gradually weathers to silver-gray when exposed to light and air. The wood's natural oils slowly migrate to the surface, creating a protective patina. Cedar can develop small surface checks (tiny cracks) as it adjusts to environmental conditions, and its aromatic scent may intensify or fade depending on storage conditions.
These changes are normal and often desirable, adding character and authenticity to your Indigenous Northwest Coast art piece. However, proper care can slow unwanted aging while preserving the carving's integrity.
Preservation, Maintenance, and Long-Term Stewardship
Environmental Factors:
Cedar carvings require stable environmental conditions to prevent damage from expansion and contraction caused by temperature and humidity fluctuations. Maintaining a consistent climate helps preserve the wood’s integrity over time.
• Ideal temperature: 65-72°F (18-22°C)
• Relative humidity: 45-55% with gradual seasonal changes
• Keep carvings away from direct airflow like heating vents or air conditioners
• In dry climates, use a humidifier; in humid climates, ensure proper air circulation
Light exposure also affects cedar’s longevity. While more stable than many woods, prolonged direct sunlight can cause fading and surface deterioration due to UV rays breaking down the wood’s natural components.
• Display away from direct sunlight
• Use UV-filtering window films or curtains
• Rotate items periodically
• Consider LED lighting for display
Maintaining good indoor air quality is equally important, as pollutants like smoke or chemical fumes can accelerate deterioration.
• Ventilate regularly and use air purifiers if necessary
• Avoid harsh chemicals near carvings
Hand-carved yellow cedar Owl Mask by Gitxsan artist Rick Wesley
Regular Cleaning and Maintenance Techniques:
Regular, gentle cleaning prevents dirt buildup and preserves the wood’s surface and intricate details. Dust with soft microfiber cloths or clean paintbrushes, always following the grain to avoid damage.
• Use a vacuum with a brush attachment on a low setting to remove dust from detailed areas
• For deeper cleaning, lightly dampen a cloth with distilled water and wipe carefully, testing first on an inconspicuous spot
• Avoid commercial wood cleaners or furniture polishes as they can damage the wood
Seasonal changes require adjustments to protect cedar carvings from environmental stress. During spring and summer, increasing airflow and checking for pests or any winter damage helps maintain their condition. In fall and winter, it’s important to gradually reduce humidity as heating systems activate and to monitor for cracks or wood movement.
Regular inspections throughout the year ensure any seasonal changes are caught early and addressed promptly.
Kwakwaka'wakw Left Facing Eagle plaque by Will Wadhams, stained in a rich brown and polished to a luminous sheen, highlighting both the carved depth and cedar’s natural texture.
When to Seek Professional Help:
While minor maintenance can be handled at home, certain conditions require professional conservation: Structural issues like significant cracks, splits, or loose pieces; insect damage including holes or sawdust around the carving; mold or mildew growth in any area; significant discoloration or staining; previous poor repairs that need correction.
Look for professionals with specific experience in Indigenous art conservation. Many museums can provide referrals, and the American Institute for Conservation maintains directories of qualified conservators. When consulting professionals, provide detailed photographs and documentation of your piece's history, any previous treatments, and current concerns.
Northwest Coast Killer Whale Rattle by Kwakwaka'wakw artist Erich Glendale. Handcrafted from yellow cedar.
Long-term Preservation Strategies
To preserve your Northwest Indigenous carving long-term, keep detailed documentation including photos, artist info, cultural context, and purchase history. Regular condition reports help track changes and assist with insurance or conservation. Since these carvings can appreciate in value, consider specialized art insurance and periodic appraisals, as standard policies may be insufficient. Additionally, plan for succession by clearly outlining care and ownership intentions to ensure the piece’s cultural significance and condition are respected by future caretakers.
Conclusion: Honouring Through Care
Proper care of your Northwest Coast Indigenous cedar carvings extends far beyond preservation—it's an act of cultural respect and stewardship. These pieces represent centuries of tradition, spiritual significance, and artistic mastery. By maintaining them properly, you ensure their stories continue for future generations.
Remember that each carving is unique, reflecting not only the artist's skill but also the individual character of the cedar from which it was created. Your careful attention to its needs demonstrates respect for both the material and the culture it represents.
Regular maintenance, environmental awareness, and knowing when to seek professional help will keep your Indigenous carvings beautiful and structurally sound for decades to come. In caring for these pieces, you participate in the preservation of Indigenous culture itself.
Need expert advice on caring for your specific pieces? Contact us for personalized guidance on preserving your Northwest Coast Indigenous art collection. At Cheryl's Trading Post, we provide care instructions and ongoing support for all our authentic Northwest Coast Indigenous carvings, including masks and headdresses, totem poles, wall panels and miniature pieces. Every piece comes with specific care recommendations based on its size, age, and artistic traditions.
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