Argillite Plate

Item number ET653-0 from the National Museum of Natural History.

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Notes

From card: "Haida. Central motif depicts a halibut and a raven. Edge of plate has inlaid triangles of abalone shell." Illus. Pl. 153, p. 186 and described p. 195 in Yehl, The Raven chapter of Barbeau, Charles Marius. 1953. Haida myths illustrated in argillite carvings. [Ottawa]: Dept. of Resources and Development, National Parks Branch, National Museum of Canada. Identified there as "An oval dish decorated in low relief with the Halibut. On this fish, in higher relief, the raven lies with his wings rolled up, to show that he is within the Halibut after putting on the fish skin. In this guise the Raven once travelled round the southern parts of the Queen Charlotte Islands, fighting monsters. The remaining space in the dish is covered with decorative designs: eyes, ears. Triangular inlays of abalone shells dot the ribbon border of the dish. This is Skidegate work. ... 16 1/2" long x 10" across, very shallow. The high point of the centre carries it even with the rim. No lathe marks. Bottom plain." Illus. Pl. 58, p. 47 in Barbeau, Marius. 1957. Haida carvers in argillite/ Department of Northern Affairs and National Resources, National Museum of Canada. Barbeau attributes to carver Tom Price. "The eagle with folded wings in high relief at the centre of the plate lies on the Halibut."