History Of Argillite Styles

Argillite carvings have been created in a variety of forms including various styles of pipes, flutes, sinel figures, group figurines, circular dishes, platters, bowls, compote (plate on a platter), poles, boxes, personal ornaments (amulets, labrets, medallions), models of Haida houses and objects as well as models of Euro-American instances and objects. Some Argillite carvings are decorated with inlays of shell, metals, ivory, bone and other materials. These inlays accentuate various aspects of specific pieces. The accents assist the pieces in their reawakening as they come alive. The sun casts clear copper rays, and a figure is able to stare out of a pair of shimmering abalone eyes.

In attempting to discuss and define the changing styles of Argillite carving from the beginnings of their manufacture to their multiple contemporary forms, it must be realized that many of the works aquired from Haida individuals in the past were done so in a time very different than that of today. At the time contact between the Haida and Euro-American occurred, The idea of “art” was an alien concept to the Natives. Time was not linear, rather it was cyclical (Dr. Barb Winter personal communication, 2001) and histories where not known through books and “recorded histories.” The past was known through Oral Histories, Myths, and Ledgens. It was through this drastic changing time period that Argillite Art was created. The artists were creating art for others, the outsiders in a time of many changes. The many changes are reflected in the changing styles portrayed in the Argillite Art. These different styles can be interpreted as defining and depicting certain segments of time and the events occurring during their creation.

Argillite history has been described and based on the changing genres, or style types that have been created and define particular segments of time. These style types can be attributed to the changing environment that the Haida of the past experienced. From the known origins of known Argillite carving, items aquired by the outsiders consisted of items resembling native objects such as amulets and bowls and later depictions of Euro-American lifeways and objects SFU’s Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology’s Argillite Collection Photo Gallery Learn More: Links