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Description

Argillite model pole with bear and beaver attached to wood backing. [CAK 18/05/2010]

Longer Description

Argillite model pole with bear and beaver attached to wood backing. The model is carved from a single piece of argillite. The figure at the base of the pole is a bear with a circle carved out of its stomach, representing the doorway through the house pole. The hind legs are bent and there is a rounded portion of the bear's body between them. The forearms extend down and the front paws rest on the hind legs. Teeth are visible in the bear's mouth. Nose, eyes and eyebrows are all carved on the face. A beaver sits between the ears of the bear. The tail has single cross-hatching and is positioned between the hind legs of the beaver. The forearms of the beaver point upward. There are large front teeth visible in the beaver's mouth. The pole has been screwed to a wooden backing, presumably so it can be hung on a wall. It is unclear if the wooden backing was part of the original carving or added later. [CAK 18/05/2010]

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 model pole was viewed alongside other argillite carvings on Tuesday Sept 15, 2009. Delegates repeatedly identified the figures as a beaver and a bear. It was thought that this pole was carved during the same time period as 1968.23.39. Christian White commented that it was not likely a replica of a standing pole, as a pole in the same dimensions would be top heavy.
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 18/05/2010]

Primary Documentation

Accession book entry [Balfour 5] - Miscellaneous objects ... 2210. Carved shale stone figure of totemic animals, bear and beaver, the latter squatting on the former's head. Same provenance [i.e. HAIDA, QUEEN CHARLOTTE ID, BRITISH COLUMBIA]. Purch. 1912 (Stevens). (Affixed to wooden board).
Additional Accession Book Entry - 1938.35.1541 No. given HV. H = 21.3 cm.

Card Catalogue Entry - 'Black argillite carving, a model house frontal pole with the hole as a doorway. Carved with totemic animals - bear and beaver, the latter squatting on the bear's head. Carved in the 1880's [sic] or 90's [sic].' Typological card not found. [JC 12 2 1997]

Written on object stand - HAIDA totem (Bear & Beaver) Queen Charlotte Isl. Purch. 1912 (Stevens) d.d. H. Balfour, 1939, No. 2210. [El.B 'DCF 2004-2006 What's Upstairs?' 27/10/2004]

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]