Figures of Haida (SEB contracted)
By:
Sign Up Now!
Already a Member? Log In
You must be logged into UK education collection to access this title.
Learn about membership options,
or view our freely available titles.
- Synopsis
- This is an image of the Figures of Haida from Canada (1850- 70) made from Argillite, 15 cm high, 14 cm wide and 4 cm deep. A mystifying and disturbing object, a man in European dress brandishes a pistol whilst he seems to be holding a woman by her hair. The Haida people of the northwest coast of North America who carved these Argillite figures were known as ruthless warriors and slavers themselves. They were described as the Native American equivalent of the Vikings hence their fascination with European ships. They also fiercely and cleverly defended their culture. It is believed that Haida craftsmen in this period made satirical and punning sculptures ridiculing European culture, which they believed lacked rationality. Two figures are carved out of smooth dark grey argillite and they stand on a small plinth. The man, on the left, is dressed in a long coat with large buttons, breeches, knee-length boots and wearing a top hat. In his right hand he holds a large pistol across his body at his waist. The pistol is pointing directly at a woman whom he is holding by the hair with his left hand. The woman is bent to her right as the man pulls her shoulder-length hair. She has her right arm up to the man's to try and push him away. Her left arm is bent at the elbow and rests on her hip. She is wearing a long dress gathered at the waist and a necklace. The tactile image is just over one and a quarter times larger than the actual figure. Both figures are shown in outline infill with two textures - one for the man and one for the woman. Their faces have been shown with no texture and their facial features shown with thin lines. The pistol and base of the figure has been shown by solid texture. The buttons on the man's coat are shown as hollows with solid centres.
- Copyright:
- 2013
Book Details
- Book Quality:
- Excellent
- Publisher:
- RNIB
- Date of Addition:
- 05/11/17
- Copyrighted By:
- British Museum
- Adult content:
- No
- Language:
- English
- Has Image Descriptions:
- No
- Categories:
- Art and Architecture
- Submitted By:
- Caroline Walker
- Proofread By:
- N/A
- Usage Restrictions:
- This is a copyrighted book.