Artwork Details
Culture
Creation Date
Materials
Object Types
Dimensions
3-1/4 x 5 x 5 in. (installed) A) basket: 3-1/8 x 5 x 5 in. B) lid: 1/2 x 5 x 5 in.
Accession Number
Credit Line
Gift of Vice Admiral Albert Parker Niblack
Copyright
Collection
Color Palette
Provenance
Estate of Vice Admiral A. P. Niblack [1859-1929], Indianapolis, Indiana {1}, given to the John Herron Art Institute, now the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields, in 1930 {2} {1} Albert P. Niblack surveyed Alaska between 1885-1886 among the Kaigani Haida in southeastern Alaska {2} object lent to the John Herron Art Institute 1910-1930
Gallery Labels
Art made for non-ceremonial functions in the Northwest Coast takes two forms: strictly utilitarian objects and those made for the tourist trade. Although the Haida of Queen Charlotte Island may have been carving argillite (carbonaceous shale) before the arrival of western whaling ships, it was the desire to produce art for sale to the strangers on those vessels which gave impetus to the argillite tradition. Even though these pieces sometimes take the form of usable items, bowls, trays, pieces; they were purely decorative. They made use of familiar motifs (‘totem’ poles, animal forms) already used in Haida art as well as some borrowed from foreigners. The stone was easily carved just after mining when it is wet and soft. Soon it dries to a brittle consistency which will take a brilliant shine.
In comparison to this "tourist" production are the elegantly simple baskets made by the Northwest Coast Indians. The native materials of cedar bark and various grasses are tightly woven and decorated with geometric designs to be used for storage or food collection and preparation. …
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