Carving

Item number Z 34989 from the MAA: University of Cambridge.

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Data
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Description

Possibly a fragment of a larger piece, this carving depicts a bird-like creature with overarching wings.; Good

Context

The original European tribal names and, where possible, current tribal names have both been given in separate GLT fields.; The style and subject matter of this object conforms to those of the First Period of argillite carving, 1800-1835, the so-called period of Haida non-sense . The carvings are typically ceremonial pipes and Panel pipes, depicting ambiguous creatures that on first glance appear to resemble crest animals but on closer examination are revealed to be non-sensical combinations of characteristics. The reason for this subversion of crest designs is possibly because at this time the giving away of crest bearing objects was antithetical to Haida social and cultural beliefs. This was because attendant on the ownership of a crest was a variety of resources and privileges which could not be jeopardised by a counter claim to access communicated by ownership of a crest bearing object. To own a crest bearing object communicated a legitimate claim to the attendant resources, therefore to give away such objects was not sanctioned (G.Crowther).