Carved Dish

These poles were carved to be ornaments and art objects in non-Haida cultural context. Argillite carvings were first produced for trade to Europeans in the 1820's. Miniature argillite poles were first carved in the 1870's.

commercial art

Crests represented particular kinship groups and may depict elements of myth.

Carved argillite shallow circular bowl with a flat base and a flat out-turned rim. The surface of the bowl is carved in relief with a split dogfish design; the negative space is detailed with fine crosshatching. The face of the dogfish is front facing while the reminder of the body is split around the head. Edge of design has rope pattern border. Rim of bowl has continuous pattern of tertiary u-forms enclosing secondary split-u’s.