Tom Hans (First Nations, Haida, 1925 to present) ca. 20th century CE. A hand carved argillite totem pole by the Haida artist Tom Hans, a member of the Eagle clan and resident of Skidegate British Columbia. His carvings illustrate traditional stories of his Haida culture; in this piece there is an eagle, orca, beaver, and a frog base. Hans comes from a family of carvers, learning the art as a teenage from his father, and over his nearly 50-year career he also mentored and influenced generations of Haida artists, including his nephew, Ken Hans. Size: 2.75" L x 2.3" W x 10.25" H (7 cm x 5.8 cm x 26 cm)

Argillite is a fine grained sedimentary rock that is essentially made of mud and ooze; it often has a smooth and lustrous appearance like this example. In the 19th century, the Haida people began to carve this material as a trade good for visiting Europeans and Americans, because of the decline of their traditional economic practice of fishing. Items like this one served as a way to show their artistic merit and introduce some of their iconography to the outside world.

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection

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#175492

Excellent condition with only minor surface nicks, otherwise intact. Clearly signed by artist on verso.