The Bowhead Whale is a baleen whale that can live more than 200 years old and are thought to be the longest living mammal. They can grow up to 60 ft long and have the thickest blubber of any whale species. They live in the Arctic oceans and use their massive heads to break through ice up to 2 ft. thick. Scientists have documented the fragments of a 120 year old harpoon inside a whale from when they were hunted by commercial whalers for their meat and oil. Bowhead whales are now threatened by habitat loss, toxics and climate change, as well as offshore oil and gas exploration and increased shipping in Arctic waters. There are approximately 10,000 of these ancient giants left wandering the seas.

This Bowhead Whale Cloisonné is made from glass enamel, fine silver and 24k gold wire. The setting is made from 22k and 18k gold and the gemstone is a lovely faceted apatite.