Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, 20th century, carved of skidegate slate (argillite), mounted atop a faux bois plaster base, unsigned.

26 1/8 x 6 1/4 x 5 1/2 in.

A mate to this sculpture was sold in the Sotheby's catalogue Art of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas on November 22, 2021, Lot 89.

Known as “Haida Slate” or “Black Slate”, argillite is a type of hard, fine black silt and exclusively found at one quarry on Slatechuck Mountain in the upper basin of Slatechuck Creek, near the town of Skidegate on Graham Island just 80 miles south of Ketchikan, Alaska. It is the dominate totemic sculptural media used by Pacific Northwest peoples beginning in the 1800s. Argillite works are unique in style, with objects ranging from ceremonial pipes to totemic sculpture, elaborate platters and chests.

Some hairline cracks and edge chips with possible professional repair approximately a third from top; small chips to base; otherwise good estate condition.

$5,000 - 10,000