K_aagwaal (Stone RIbs) and Jiila K_uns (Creek Woman) Argillite Totem Pole

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K_aagwaal (Stone RIbs) and Jiila K_uns (Creek Woman) Argillite Totem Pole

Artist Moody, Thomas

Date1879

Mediumargillite

DimensionsOther: 44.7 × 7.5 cm (17 5/8 × 2 15/16 in.)
Other (base): 6.4 × 8.8 cm (2 1/2 × 3 7/16 in.)

ClassificationsCeremonial Objects

Terms

Paper Field ReferencesCMH VII-B-830

Object numberHRC 00830

Descriptionpole, argillite. carved to represent the myth of Qugwaii and Dzelarhons wtih two vertical figures (from base):
1-deep water grizzly upper torso of bear with arms bent on chest. rounded eyebrows are incised above ovoid eyes and beneath upright ears. semi circular depressed nostrils are carved on angular muzzle. mouth is opened to expose projecting tongue. tail is upturned on chest and represts the dorsal fin of a whale with ovoid, circular and crescent shaped incised motifs.
2- upper figure represets Qagwaai. rounded eyebrows are incised above circular eyes with depressed pupil in centre. semicircular bulbous nostrils are carved in relief on each side of angular projecting nose. four vertical depressions are carved along each cheek. dorsal fin wtih two horizontal depressions and tail with upward curved prjection flanked by two ovoids project from top of head. tail fin of vertical flattened halibut projects from centre of mouth. parallel incised lines follow each side of body which tapers towards rounded head with circular portruding eyes and dressed nostrils. head of ravenw ith beak towards top of pole is contained within body of fish. ravens circular eyes are incised on each side of rounded forehead beneath rectangular ears carved in relief. elongated beak curves downwards towards fail fin. ravens legs, claws and downturned wings are carved on each side of chest.
reverse is hollow. rests of two tier rectangular base.
collected in Skidegate
Exhibition HistoryNational Gallery of Canada Ottawa (1927)Published References'Haida Cravers in Argillite' Marius Barbeau 'Haida Myths Illustrated in Argillite Carvings' Marius Barbeau 'Contributions to the Ethnology of the Haida' John R. Swanton

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