Argillite Longhouse Model
Date1879
Mediumargillite, mammal ivory
DimensionsOther: 20.3 × 25.4 × 24.1 cm (8 × 10 × 9 1/2 in.)
ClassificationsCeremonial Objects
Paper Field ReferencesCMH VII-B-816
Object numberHRC 00816
Descriptionall four sides of house carved and inlaid with ivory, each glued in place. two designs one for ends. one for sides. plain slab roof made with 2 pieces, 2" square smoke hole in centre of roof. six carved tendon heads project from roof at each end, all faces slightly different.stone house inlaid and carved showing the kind of house they live in, with smoke hole on top. Indian name for it is Kin-et. the story of this house is as hollows; 'about 100 years ago, a party of Indians went and built a town on a point of land, named Datchlins coon, or a point of hte waves, when the chief was thinking about maing hise house, he could not decide the style of house, whilst he was thinking about making his house, he oculd not decide the style of house, whilst he was thinking about it, he dreamt that he say a plan of a house with six heads on each end of it and he built his house after the style he saw in his dream. then he got the name of hte chief of hte six heads, of cadzoclooounel. the crest of hte village and all the tribe was of the bear, which shows all around the house, being car ved with the bear on three sidess, and sea lion on one end only. after the house was built there came a ggreat tidal wave which washed it away. fivve times it was rebuilt, and each time was destroyed by th waves. the first time it was destroyed, several Indians also lost their lives and nothing of the house remained. the last time it was destroyed some portions of it were saved and were taken to Skidegate. the Hydahs built their town there and live to this day as sa distinct peopl with their old name.'
Exhibition HistoryNFB Ottawa (2-58) NMC 2nd Floor Ottawa (4-67)Published References'Haida Carvers' Marius Barbeau
On View
Not on viewCollections
c. 1879
1914
Fred Nash
1899