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Description

Argillite model totem pole, with beaver and whale or seal lion figures. [CAK 24/04/2009]

Longer Description

Argillite model totem pole, with beaver and killer whale figures. The base of the pole is a flat, square segment of argillite. The pole has been carved from a separate piece of argillite and glued to the base. The bottom figure on the pole is a beaver identifiable by the cross-hatched tail between its legs, the stick held in the front paws, and the pronounced front teeth in the mouth. The ringed 'hat' on the beaver's head is a common motif for beaver figures. The second figure is a whale or sea lion facing downward. The animal has prominent, sharp front teeth on the sides of its mouth, and discernible fins on the left and right side. The back of the animal has symmetrical pecking and a rough area indicates where the dorsal fin would have once been. The fluted tail at the very top of the pole is decorated with formline and ovoid designs. Between the beaver's and whale's/sea lion's head is a smoothly carved, rounded section that appears to serve as support for the material at the top of the pole. The reverse of the beaver is smoothly carved and concave, whereas the reverse of the whale/sea lion is a three-dimensional continuation of the figure. [CAK 24/04/2009]

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 argillite pole was viewed alongside other argillite carvings on Tuesday Sept 15, 2009. Many delegates identified the top creature as a whale, but it was also proposed by Gaahlaay (Lonnie Young) and Nika Collison that this figure was a sea lion, or kaay in Haida. They wondered if the carver had originally intended to have this figure be a whale, but made a mistake and transformed the figure into a sea lion instead. They commented that if it was a whale, it has no dorsal fin. A blow hole and what appears to be spray (a cluster of incised dots) -- feature Nika had never encountered before. She wondered if the spray related to a specific clan. Christian White observed that this model pole is not as strictly carved as some of the older poles because it does not look like a log. He thought it was probably made during the same period as 1938.35.1541. The figure at the bottom was identified as a beaver. The style was recognisable to delegates and they thought there was a strong possibility that this was made by Louis Collinson. Diane Brown provided a wider range of possible carvers, including Arthur Moody, Kim Pearson, Henry Young or Ed Collinson. She was particularly excited to think it could be Ed Collinson.
Regarding the carving of argillite, delegates reported that sometimes artists need to change their mind or adapt their piece part way through as a piece of rock might chip away during the carving process. It was explained that argillite does not have a totally uniform density and where a carver works into a denser area, larger pieces would chip away. Delegates also discussed how black shoe polish would be used to give argillite a sheen, and that oils from the skin could be used for the same purpose.
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 21/05/2010]

This object was viewed and confirmed as Haida by tribal members Vincent Collison, Lucille Bell, and Kwiiawah Jones on 7 September 2007 in preparation for a planned Haida community visit to PRM in 2009 [L Peers, 21/01/2008]
Full name of Donald Baden-Powell source: Donor Index cards, Antiquities Department, Ashmolean Museum [L.Ph 23/3/2004]

Primary Documentation

Accession Book Entry - 'D. F. W. BADEN-POWELL, Esq. 9 BENSON PLACE, OXFORD.... 1968.23.39. N.W. AMERICA. QUEEN CHARLOTTE ISLANDS. HAIDA INDIANS. Model totem-pole in argillite - showing Beaver (below) holding a piece of wood, & Killer Whale (above) head downwards. Back fin of killer whale missing, & one tip broken from tail. Ht. 31.7 cm. Coll. by donor's father, Sir George Baden-Powell, who went to the N.W. Coast in the 1890's.

No additional information on catalogue index cards. [JC 12 2 1997]

Pitt Rivers Museum label - CANADA, BRITISH COLUMBIA, QUEEN CHARLOTTE ISLANDS HAIDA ARGILLITE TOTEM POLE d.d. D.F.N. Baden-POWELL [CAK 24/04/2009]

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]