A multi-figure argillite pole by an as-yet-unidentified Haida artist from the first quarter of the 20th century, this well-carved pole features four composite figures that blend attributes from multiple animal species, which may indicate that the beings depicted are supernatural or in a state of transformation. The top figure combines the body and wings of a bird with a mammalian-like snout and teeth, the next figure down appears to be a frog with the distinctive cowl of a dogfish, underneath that is a figure that may represent another bird of prey with teeth, and below that, a bear-like figure. The unusual features of the figures may point to this pole illustrating a particular Haida story. Several features that may help identify the maker of this pole or relate it to other objects include the subtle tapering towards the top of the pole, the dots in the centre of the eyes of the figures, and the double-line cross hatching on the chest of the central bird-like figure.

Christopher W. Smith

References: See the section on late model poles in Peter L. Macnair and Alan J. Hoover, The Magic Leaves: A History of Haida Argillite Carving, (Victoria: Royal British Columbia Museum, 2002), pp. 127-138. See also Leslie Drew and Douglas Wilson, Argillite: Art of the Haida, (Vancouver: Hancock House Ltd., 1980), pp. 217-227.