Description

Framed ink drawing of a Haida pictograph representing a two-finned killer whale with a spirit residing in its belly. [CAK 19/05/2009]

Longer Description

Framed ink drawing of a Haida pictograph representing a two-finned killer whale with a spirit residing in its belly. The frame and print are square. The drawing has been done in black ink. The image of the pictograph depicts a two-finned killer whale. Spray is shooting upwards out of the blowhole. The tail is down-turned and contains a face. There appear to be short two fins or ridges to the rear of the two dorsal fins. There is a large pectoral fin running along the underside of the whale. The whale's face is shown in profile and includes a large eye, rounded snout and mouth with large, pointed teeth. Inside the belly of the whale is a humanoid figure, described as a "demon spirit", with one leg extending below the outline of the whale, and whose hands appear to be grasping the under belly of the whale. The humanoid has the same general orientation as the whale (i.e. their heads face the same direction). The face of the spirit has an animal-like jaw with what appears to be a snout and large teeth. The image has been protected by a square glass plate. The frame has been constructed by wrapping black tape or adhesive paper along each edge and across the back of the image. A fixture for hanging the pictograph has been constructed using a strip of brown textile and a small metal ring: the textile is adhered under the frame, allowing the metal ring to protrude out the top of the picture. [CAK 19/05/2009]

Primary Documentation

Written on object - Haidah pictograph representing the 'Killer' whale (orca ater) with its demon spirit residing within it. after Niblack, Smiths. Rep. 1888, pl. 51. Compare Totem post at East end of Court. [DCF Court Team 12/2/2004]

Written on back of object frame - H. Balfour del. [DCF Court Team 12/2/2004]

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]

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 drawing was viewed alongside other drawings on Tuesday Sept 15, 2009. No information about this image was recorded from delegates. [CAK 28/05/2010]