The accession record lists a group of Sitka carvings as part of this accession. This object may be one of those pieces, possibly the one described as "man standing on whales back", and thus possibly Tlingit rather than Haida?

From card: "Manuf. in Anthro. Lab from photo #229,725." Object is a cast of an argillite dish, with incised/carved decoration; painted black.

From card: "Carved from black slate; well executed. The Shaman wears a mask headdress a cedar rope bandolier and a ceremonial blanket."Comment from Graduate Student Research Paper, "A Report on Accession #42610 of the National Museum of Natural History", written by Athena Hsieh in April 2012, for the class "Anthropology in the Museum" taught by NMNH Curator, Dr. J. Daniel Rogers for the George Washington University. Approved for inclusion into notes by Dr. Igor Krupnik. Dr. Krupnik and NMNH has not verified the contents of the comment below, and suggests future researchers verify the remarks before citing Ms. Hsieh. The complete paper is attached to the accession record of this object in EMu. See Notes for catalog number E231009 for additional information on argillite. "This object, too, is carved from argillite, and may also have been a piece by Charles Edensaw, who became chief of the Sdeldás of the Eagle people (Wikipedia 2011), due to the eagle carved on the back of the figure's headdress. It is possible that this figure is not, in fact, a shaman. Rather, it is likely a representation of a chief: “When a chief died, they painted his face, put his head-dress on, his rattle in his hand, and his blanket around him...” (Swanton 1905, 54). Also in Swanton's publication were drawings of wood carvings representing shamans, all of which included a long, rod-shaped piercing through the nose (41) (See Appendix C- Illustrations from page 41 of Swanton's “Contributions to the Ethnology of the Haida.” These show examples of wooden carvings representing shamans. Notice the nose piercing in all three carvings. There is no such piercing on the argillite carving in Accession 42610.). Swanton, John R. 1905. “Contributions to the Ethnology of the Haida” in Memoirs of the American Museum of Natural History 8-1. New York: G. E. Stechert. Swanton, John R. 1905. Haida Texts and Myths: Skidegate Dialect. Washington: Government Printing Office. Wikipedia. 2011. “Charles Edenshaw.” Last modified November 6. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Edenshaw."

From card: "Bird carving painted; eyes set with abalone. Probably peak of a basket hat. Much decayed."

From card: "See accession record for additional data. Illus. in USNM AR, 1888, Fig. 75a,b; p. 274 "embroidered with scarlet broad cloth. On the front is the Kahatta or dogfish, the teeth of white beads. On the back is the Wasko or mythological wolf. This very fine specimen was owned by Ellswarsh of Skidegate and worn by him on ceremonial occasions." Swan. Illus.: Hndbk. N. Amer. Ind. Vol. 7, Northwest Coast, Fig. 7 right, pg. 245. Loaned to Renwick 4/29/82. Returned 6/1983. Illus.: p. 43, Pl. 238d, Celebrations catalogue, Smithsonian Press, 1982. [From Celebrations catalogue:] Appliqued Tunic, ca. 1860-83, ... red and blue flannel, blue satin, white glass beads 36 x 30 (91.4 x 76.2). "Button blankets" and other wearable textiles made of appliqued trade cloth present a unique synthesis of cultures. Although the materials only became available through foreign trade in the nineteenth century, their designs and use were purely native and traditional. Worn by dancers during potlatch ceremonies, appliqued blankets, shirts, robes, and tunics always featured clan emblems. The tunic shown here has a dogfish on the front and a wolf on the back. The preferred fabric for applique was Hudson's Bay Company flannel, especially red and blue. Chinese coins, brass or pearl shell buttons, and, as in this example, glass beads were all used for decoration. Loan: Crossroads Sep 22 1988. Returned Jan 21 1993. Illus.: Crossroads of Continents catalogue; Fig. 381, p. 277." Crossroads of Continents catalogue caption identifies: "Applique Tunic, Haida. "A dogfish covers the front of this dancing tunic, appliqued in red flannel and outlined with white beads. It is presented in "split " form, with pectoral fins and halves of the dorsal fin at the sides, and the sides of the second fin and the tail below. The high forehead (the dogfish's nose), gill slits, and sharp teeth are further recognition features. On the back is a sea wolf, a mythical being with a wolf's head, paws and tail, and the killer whale's dorsal fin and flukes. Sea wolf and dogfish are both crests of the Haida Eagle moiety."Per the entry on E89186 in the website http://alaska.si.edu/, "Ellswarsh" may refer to Daniel Eldjiwus [a.k.a. Daniel Elljuuwas], a chief and builder of the House of Contentment at Skidegate.

FROM CARD: "THIS SPECIMEN BELIEVED TO BE THE #13146 ILLUS. IN BARBEAU'S "HAIDA MYTHS ILLUS. IN ARGILLITE CARVINGS," NMC #127, P.283 [PL. 250]. UNFORTUNATELY THE INFORMATION ON THE BASE OF THE TOTEM POLE MODEL IS NOT IN AGREEMENT. AN AUTHORITY ON THE ART HISTORY OF 'EDENSAW'S WORK MIGHT BE ABLE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF CONFLICTING DATES. THE CONFLICTING DATA [WHICH IS WRITTEN ON THE BOTTOM OF THE BASE OF THE TOTEM POLE MODEL] IS AS FOLLOWS: "SLATE TOTEM POLE (MINIATURE) CARVED BY CHARLEY EDENSAU [A.K.A. CHARLES EDENSHAW] SON OF CHIEF OF VILLAGE ON NORTON ISLAND, QUEEN CHARLOTTE GROUP. BOUGHT OF EDENSAU AT MOUTH OF SKEENA RIVER. GEORGE A. DORSEY, 1897 FOR W.A. HOLMES. BEST STYLE OF SLATE WORK." USNM CAT.# 13145 IS RE-ASSIGNED THIS SPECIMEN IN LIEU OF FURTHER DATA. 1/19/67. GP. INVENTORIED 1980." Illus. Pl. 250, p. 283 and described p. 265 and 303 (under incorrect catalogue # 13146) in Barbeau, Charles Marius. 1953. Haida myths illustrated in argillite carvings. [Ottawa]: Dept. of Resources and Development, National Parks Branch, National Museum of Canada. Identified as eagle at top, which shields with wings and bill the departed woman (wife of Nanasimgat) who wears a skil [hat ring or potlatch ring] hat and labret and holds onto the dorsal fin of the killer-whale, which makes up the lower half of the composition.The Swan accession record lists "3 pieces stone carving by Haida Indians of Queen Charlotte Island B.C." as part of this accession. This object may be one of those pieces.March 3, 2011, Robin K. Wright of the Burke Museum does not believe the attribution of this piece to Charles Edenshaw is correct.