Description: Hand-carved by Northwest Coast Haida artist Steve Collison, this super detailed argillite totem pole depicts 'Eagle, Shark, Raven, Grizzly Bear, Frog'. It is signed and dated 1972. It measures 12" tall and has never been repaired and has no chips. Steve learned from his father Robert George Collison, who also only carved argillite. His crest is Eagle and he is from the chits git tan nay clan. His uncle Frank Collison was a Chief in Masset. He mainly carved argillite in the 1970s and 1980s, and did not produce much after this. Several of his pieces were published in the book 'Pipes That Won’t Smoke, Coal That Won’t Burn' by Carol Sheehan. The Haida Nation is renowned for its beautiful "black slate" or argillite carvings. The Haida began carving argillite in response to the early curio trade of the 1820's, amongst British explorers and traders. Soon the artistic accomplishments of the Haida in the use of materials such as wood, horn and stone included this new medium. While argillite used to be known as a form of tourist art, it has grown to become one of the most sought after art forms in North American First Nations art.The argillite used by Haida carvers is a dark grey carbonaceous shale found at Slatechuck Creek on Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands), British Columbia. Argillite is a relatively soft stone to carve, although it is difficult to obtain large pieces from the quarries. It is also a very fragile stone. The supply of argillite is not in any apparent danger of being exhausted, and only the Haida people can carve it by British Columbian law. Apart from small totem poles, the primary objects carved from argillite include plates with incised designs, pendants, pipes, small boxes and sculptural figures. Some carvers give their work a high polish with emery cloth or other materials which enhance the dark, rich qualities of the stone. Even today, argillite continues to be carved exclusively by Haida artists both on Haida Gwaii (their homeland) and in the Vancouver and Victoria areas.
Price: 4400 USD
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
End Time: 2024-08-24T20:32:04.000Z
Shipping Cost: 0 USD
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Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 14 Days
Refund will be given as: Money back or replacement (buyer's choice)
Origin: Canada
Provenance: Ownership History Available
Tribal Affiliation: haida
Artisan: Steve Collison
Country/Region of Manufacture: Canada
Culture: Native American: US
Handmade: Yes
Modified Item: No
