smoking-pipe

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Object Type
Museum number: Am,De.24
Description: Smoking pipe, ship pipe (with figures) made of argillite. Depicts priest in cassock and possibly the devil.
Production ethnic group: Made by: Haida; Made by: Northwest Coast Peoples
Production date: 19thC
Findspot: Found/Acquired: North America
Materials
Dimensions: Height: 11 centimetres; Length: 37 centimetres
Curator's comments: Bibliography for Haida Argillite Carvings all from the Centre for Anthropology library, British Museum Indian Art in pipestone; George Catlin’s portfolio in the British Museum George Catlin 1796-1872 KUB [Cat-] M13875, 19thc Haida argillite pipe carvers; stylistic attributions Robin Kathleen Wright KUB [WRI-] V.1, M13198 KUB [WRI-] V.2, M45832 Northern Haida master carvers Robin Kathleen Wright KUB [WRI-], M40051 Haida Carvers in argillite Charles Marius Barbeau H6/KUB[CAN-], L21172; Two different series of motifs are found on Haida pipes. The first of these is derived directly from traditional Haida art and consists of representations of mythological beings and crests interpreted in the conventional manner of Northwest Coast carvings. the most common of the figures are humans, whales, frogs, ravens and other birds. Other creatures which appear include wolves dragonflies, beavers and mosquitos. The second tradition consists of Haida interpretations of the European and American sailors, ships and objects which came to British Columbia. The two principle forms of pipe are the panel pipe, also used with traditional motifs, and copies of clay pipes to which are often added European figures. The American and European motifs and designs include people, highly stylised ships, often with rigging, paddle wheels and cabins, and houses. Animals, such as horses with which the Haida were not previously familiar, were also used, as were floral motifs and designs from coins and labels. (This entry is based on text written for the 1980 ‘Art made for Strangers’ exhibition, and reflects scholarship at that time).
Bibliographic references
Location: Not on display
Exhibition history: Exhibited: 1980 Feb-1983 Aug, Museum of Mankind, Room 9; Art Made for Strangers: Haida Argillite Carving 2017 23 Feb-27 Aug, London, BM, "Where the Thunderbird Lives"
Acquisition name
Funder name
Previous owner
Acquisition date: 1882
Department: Africa, Oceania and the Americas
Registration number: Am,De.24
Additional IDs: CDMS number: Am1882B14.24 (old CDMS no.)

Free entry

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