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Description

Argillite ring with the band carved as a snake and inlaid with a crescent-shaped piece of haliotis shell. [CAK 26/05/2009]

Related Collections

Manuscript and photographic collections in Archives

Longer Description

Argillite ring with the band carved as a snake and inlaid with a crescent-shaped piece of haliotis shell. The snake's body is notched on the sides and wraps around the underside of the ring. The head on one end is clearly visible with eyes and nostrils. The mouth is open and gives way to a plain, smoothly carved segment of argillite that extends across the top of the ring. The haliotis inlay is set into the plain segment. The snake's tail is visible opposite its head. [CAK 12/08/2009]

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 ring was viewed alongside other items of personal adornment on Friday Sept 11, 2009. The figure was identified as a snake by delegates, thought it was also clarified that there are no snakes on Haida Gwaii. Rather, it is suspected that the snake was inspired from images in a Bible. Discussion of this ring can be viewed on Tape 6, time 5:50, which can be found in the Haida Project Related Documents File.
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 19/05/2010]

Primary Documentation

Accession Book Entry - Collection made by MISS BEATRICE BLACKWOOD, in 1936-37 in NEW GUINEA & NEW BRITAIN, & in the United States and in Mexico, 1939...1939. OCTOBER.... - Finger-ring of slate-stone, carved snake, set with haliotis shell. Same data [HAIDA TRIBE, QUEEN CHARLOTTE IS. BRITISH COLUMBIA Bought from some HAIDA Indians visiting PRINCE RUPERT, B.C.]

There is no further information on the catalogue card. [CW 8 6 98]

Pitt Rivers Museum display label - Slate-stone finger-ring HAIDA INDIANS QUEEN CHARLOTTE ISLANDS BRITISH COLUMBIA coll. B.B. 1927.d.d. 1939.ii.1663 [L.Ph 'DCF 2004-2006 What's Upstairs?' 19/5/2005]

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]

Item History

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