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Argillite


ARGILLITE  () is a dense black shale used by the HAIDA of the QUEEN CHARLOTTE ISLANDS to make stone carvings for sale. The carvings have been much imitated, but authentic Haida argillite comes only from Slatechuck Mt near SKIDEGATE. The first carvings were tobacco pipes made for trade early in the 19th century. Later carvers produced an array of objects, including human figures, bowls, animals, tableware and small TOTEM POLES. Although the quality of the artistry deteriorated after 1910, numerous carvers maintained the tradition through to the 1960s, when a resurgence of the art form began. See also ART, NORTHWEST COAST ABORIGINAL.