US$2,600 1976 Haida Argillite Orca Whale Sculpture George Yeltatzie in Vancouver, British Columbia for sale

George Yeltatzie comes from a family of artists, who are primarily known for argillite carving. Harold and John are his brothers. The late Sharon Hitchcock was his sister. George is largely self-taught, learning from books and elders on Haida Gwaii when he was young. In 1981, George’s argillite carving was featured in the book "Pipes That Won't Smoke, Coal That Won't Burn: Haida Sculpture in Argillite". In the late 1980s, George began learning to engrave metal, and now frequently works in silver and gold. George has taught many younger carvers as well, and was a mentor to artists such as Lionel Samuels.This elegant sculpture measures 7.75" x 3.75" x 2" and is dated 1976. It is signed as well. The info on this piece are amazing: from the personified blow hole to the curled tail flukes. Beautiful.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 1 of the most sought after art forms in North American 1st 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. "argillite orca", "haida argillite", "jones yeltatzie", "lionel samuels"