Haida art is renowned among indigenous art styles. This argillite tobacco pipe hand carved by the late Lionel Samuels is 6 1/2" long.
The Frog can live in and travel between two worlds, on the earth and under the water, and also in the natural world and the supernatural. He is a helper to Shamans. He is a great communicator and his songs have spiritual and magical qualities. The Frog is associated with copper and wealth, and also with water, springtime and renewal.
Argillite that the Haida use for carvings and jewelry can be found in a quarry on Slatechuck Mountain near the town of Skidegate, on Haida Gwaii. The land and quarry are owned by the Haida Nation who hold proprietary ownership. Lionel Samuels created works of art that have very fine details, by working with the layers in the argillite.
