An Aboriginal Presence

An Aboriginal Presence

Charles Edenshaw (1839-1924)

Born in the Haida village of Skidegate, Charles Edenshaw (Tahayghen) was the hereditary chief of the Stelthdas Eagle lineage and one of several outstanding Haida carvers of the nineteenth century. His life spanned eight decades of profound political and social change on Haida Gwaii.

Working from the mid-1850s to 1920, he expressed Haida ideas on art and mythology through bentwood boxes, masks and rattles, argillite plates and chests, and gold and silver jewellery.

He carved for his family, for sale, and for museums. His work has been an inspiring legacy for the twentieth-century artists who revitalized Haida art, as well as for contemporary Haida artists.

Charles Edenshaw Canadian Museum of Civilization, 2001-95, CD2001-330-009

(left) Bracelet Haida British Columbia About 1879 Made by Charles Edenshaw Silver Canadian Museum of Civilization, VII-B-103 a, CD95-479-093 (right) Pin Haida British Columbia Before 1884 Made by Charles Edenshaw Silver Canadian Museum of Civilization, VII-B-102, CD94-722-022