Argillite Chief
Date1899
Mediumargillite, bone
DimensionsOther: 34.5 × 9.5 cm (13 9/16 × 3 3/4 in.)
ClassificationsCeremonial Objects
Paper Field ReferencesCMH VII-B-813
Object numberHRC 00813
Descriptionargillite carvin of a great Haida Chief, wearing a knee length cape which is incised with face of a bear at the back. on sides are hand motifs. in front he wears a fringed apron. hem u shaped in front. above fringe a bear facce is incised. around his neck he wears a cord (probably would have been cedar) which ties at his shoulder into a knot and fringe. on his forehead is a headpiece with a wolf carvin on the front, 8 inlaid abalone squares on either side. headdress topped with sea lion whiskers to which eagle down is glued. ermine skins fall down his back, represented in low relief carving and incising. he at one time possibly held an ivory rattle in his hand of which onl a stub in his hand remains. his legs have been sawed off at the angles and were pegged to a grey soapstone stand with feet carved into them. the stand could possibly have been carved to replace the original. they should remain separate pieces a) and b) because his legs are too fragile after the repairs to support his weight.Exhibition HistoryCCI (1975) - (1980)
On View
Not on viewCollections
c. 1879
Late 1910's
1899
1899
c. 1900
1872
C. 1879
Simpson, Sam
1872