Majestic grey whales, hand-hammered from recycled steel oil drums in Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti. Every piece is entirely handmade and one of a kind. No stamping, no machinery, no repetition.
The process begins by flattening a discarded steel oil drum. The artist sketches the design in chalk, drawing inspiration from Haiti's plants, animals, and everyday life. Using only chisels and hammers, they cut, shape, and decorate the steel entirely by hand. Every leaf vein, bead, contour, and textured dot is created with simple hand tools. Many artists chisel their signature into the finished piece.
In the village of Croix-des-Bouquets, the sound of hammer on chisel is constant, the everyday rhythm of one of the Caribbean's most enduring craft traditions.
This collection is imported by Casey Riddell, who has worked directly with Haitian metal artists for more than 20 years, supporting as many as 120 artists through long-term fair trade partnerships. Every purchase directly supports the artists, their workshops, apprentices, and families.
The protective coated steel finish allows these pieces to be displayed indoors or mounted outdoors on a garden wall, barn, fence, or patio.
Approximately 24” x 12”
We also carry a separate collection of Haitian Oil Drum Birds.
Read more about the metalworkers of Croix-Des-Bouquets and their process.
Handmade in Haiti.
