Haida Argillite Pendant Sculpture Frog with Abalone and Catlinite Inlays

Description

How charming is this little hand-carved Haida frog? Embellished with abalone inlays and catlinite eyes, this detailed argillite carving was completed by First Nations artist Andrew Williams. It measures 1.25" x 1.5" and can be worn as a pendant or appreciated as a sculpture. the frog is a symbol of communication and community.
The Haida Nation is renowned for its beautiful "black slate" or argillite carvings. The Haida began carving argillite in response to the early curio trade of the 1820's, amongst British explorers and traders. Soon the artistic accomplishments of the Haida in the use of materials such as wood, horn and stone included this new medium. While argillite used to be known as a form of tourist art, it has grown to become one of the most sought after art forms in North American First Nations art. The argillite used by Haida carvers is a dark grey carbonaceous shale found at Slatechuck Creek on Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands), British Columbia. Argillite is a relatively soft stone to carve, although it is difficult to obtain large pieces from the quarries. It is also a very fragile stone. The supply of argillite is not in any apparent danger of being exhausted, and only the Haida people can carve it by British Columbian law. Apart from small totem poles, the primary objects carved from argillite include plates with incised designs, pendants, pipes, small boxes and sculptural figures. Some carvers give their work a high polish with emery cloth or other materials which enhance the dark, rich qualities of the stone. Even today, argillite continues to be carved exclusively by Haida artists both on Haida Gwaii (their homeland) and in the Vancouver and Victoria areas.
Andrew William's crests include Raven, Shark, Killerwhale, Grizzly, and Raven-Finned Killerwhale. He is self-taught, and has been carving since 1995. In June of 1999, Andrew took a shaping course with Haida carver Gary Minaker-Russ through the First Peoples Cultural Foundation Grant. Andrew's influences are Haida artists Christian White and Terry Yeltazie for their inlay work, and Gary Minaker-Russ for his polishing technique and form. In 2009, Andy graduated from Vancouver's Northwest Coast Jewellery Arts program under established Kwakwaka'wakw/Haida artist Dan Wallace.
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