Description
Haida argillite hollow back Totem
Artist: Haida Unknown
Date:1870-80
Materials: argillite
Dimensions: height 14 1/3 in, 2 ¾” x 2 5/8”
This rare early Haida argillite hollow‑back totem, carved circa 1880, stands an impressive 14 1/3 inches and has the strong, heavy presence characteristic of 19th‑century work. The carving displays crisp detailing and a well‑balanced vertical narrative: Hawk ( hooked nose) at the top, followed by Dogfish, then a Bear clutching the Skil hat , the chiefly emblem associated with high status of the beaver crest below him. . Beneath sits a Beaver, rendered with excellent proportion and holding a traditional chew stick.
Overall, it is a large, weighty, and impressively preserved example of Haida argillite carving from the late 19th century.
This totem is carved from a single piece of argillite including the base.
