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Description

Piece of argillite panel pipe carved with figures in formline design. [CAK 09/06/2009]

Longer Description

Piece of argillite panel pipe carved with figures in formline design. The piece of the pipe has been carved, in an open-work fashion, from a single piece of argillite. At one end is a sculpin or cod, whose tail curves under the base of the pipe, and whose body extends upwards at an angle. A spiny ridge is visible along its back, and short fins can be found under the head which is at the top of the pipe. Under the fish's belly is the face of a frog. The frog's back runs along the base of the pipe, and it's front and hind legs extend upward in bent positions. The flippers are clearly visible. Nestled between the front and hind legs of the frog are the tail feathers of a raven with large wings, ears and a straight beak. The raven's tongue protrudes out into the mouth of the fish. Behind the raven, is a squatting shark and human figure with dorsal and pectoral fins in addition to arms and legs. The face of this figure is tilted back such that the mouth forms the bowl of the pipe. There are gill lines running from nose to chin, encircling the open mouth. Behind this figure is another bird that may also be a raven. It has large, squared wings that connect to the back of the human-form. The tail feathers are bent underneath the bird and pointed talons are visible at the base of the pipe. The head has a straight beak and ears. This is the last whole figure on the pipe and there is evidence of breakage, as well as evidence of another bird or animal figure. Large paws or talons can be seen at the base of the pipe. This broken end also has evidence of a narrow duct drilled into the pipe, ideally joining with the pipe bowl. [CAK 09/06/2009]

Research Notes

The following information comes from Haida delegates who worked with the museum's collection in September 2009 as part of the project “Haida Material Culture in British Museums: Generating New Forms of Knowledge”:
This pipe was viewed alongside other argillite pieces on Tuesday Sept 15, 2009. The figures on the pipe were described as a sculpin or cod, with a raven facing the fish, a shark with human features and another bird. The carving was described as being roughly in three sections, following the strong downward designs. In the second section of the pipe, the wing of one of the birds was thought to be carved in a slightly unconventional manner. A frog was identified below this wing. Because of the possible cod on one end, some delegates wondered if this pipe depicted crests belonging to the cod clan.
A group discussion about argillite raised the following points. Argillite is only carved on Haida Gwaii. It is a natural resource of the islands, is very brittle and difficult to carve. Black is the most common variety, but rarer red and brown varieties also exist. It requires a skillful hand to carve it successfully. In addition to early trading, argillite served an important purpose during difficult years in Haida communities. Even when not skillfully executed, argillite allowed carvers to record stories and oral histories, like previous generations did in wood before them; they were able to preserve a significant amount of information that might otherwise have been lost. Argillite also provided a medium for Haidas to be satirical about the Europeans they were encountering. [CAK 13/05/2010]

For additional information on Haida argillite pipes, see Robin K Wright's article on pages 48-55 of American Indian Art Magazine, Winter 1982, Volume, Issue, and Peter McNair's chapter, "From the Hands of Master Carpenter" within the Vancouver Art Gallery's catalogue for the exhibition 'Raven Travelling: Two centuries of Haida Art' (published by Douglas and McIntyre and the University of Washington Press. There is scant evidence for the use of argillite pipes among the Haidas themselves, however, Haida artists readily adapted the material to create elaborate pipes for sale to sailors and traders at least as early as the 1820s. [CAK 08/06/2009]

Primary Documentation

Accession Book Entry - 'J. EDGE-PARTINGTON, Esq. The Kiln House, Greywell, Hants...Carved shale-stone pipe (broken) with totemic figures, Haida, British Columbia.

There is no further information on the catalogue card. [CW 9 6 98]

Pitt Rivers Museum label - NW COAST HAIDA Part of carved argillite pipe. Don. J. Edge-Partington [CAK 09/06/2009]; [display label] N.W. AMERICAN COAST, CANADA, HAIDA TRIBE. Pipe, carved from argillite, of characteristic flat form (opening of bowl on top). J. Edge-Partington, 1912. [CAK 09/06/2009]

Written on object - HAIDA. d.d. J. E-Partington, 1912 [KJ 01/04/2009]

Related Documents File - The Haida Project Related Documents File contains video of research sessions and interviews with Haida delegates from September 2009 as part of the project ‘Haida Material Culture in British Museums: Generating New Forms of Knowledge'. It also includes post-visit communications that discuss object provenance. For extensive photographic, video, and textual records documenting the Haida research visit as a whole, including but not limited to preparations of objects for handling, travel logistics, British Museum participation, transcribed notes from research sessions and associated public events held at PRM, see the Haida Project Digital Archive, stored with the Accessions Registers. Original hand-written notes taken during research sessions have been accessioned into the Manuscripts collection, in addition to select other materials. [CAK 02/06/2010]