Title:
Carved Rocking Chair, circa 1890
Artist:
Chief Skulka
Description:
Carved by Haida Chief Skulka out of wood found only on Haida Gwaii, the chair was presented to J. Loomis Gould, a missionary located at Howkan. Originally it had a deer skin (later a seal skin) cover for the back.
Quoted from an Alaska Sportsman Magazine article Oct.1953, p 27. A unique chair, relic of the vanishing southeastern Alaska Indian culture, may be seen at Bell Island Hot Springs Resort near Ketchikan. More than a hundred years old, the rocking chair was carved by chief Skulka of the Haidas, and presented to J. Loomis Gould, missionary at Howkan. At the death of the missionary the chair went to his son. The late H.R. Gould, who spoke Haida as fluently as English. Now his widow shown at right with the prized chair is its owner. Entirely hand carved from a rare wood the Indians call hack-watack," found in this area only on Queen Charlotte Island, it has neither nail nor screw but is held together by wooden pegs. Once the back had a deerskin cover.
Quoted from an Alaska Sportsman Magazine article Oct.1953, p 27. A unique chair, relic of the vanishing southeastern Alaska Indian culture, may be seen at Bell Island Hot Springs Resort near Ketchikan. More than a hundred years old, the rocking chair was carved by chief Skulka of the Haidas, and presented to J. Loomis Gould, missionary at Howkan. At the death of the missionary the chair went to his son. The late H.R. Gould, who spoke Haida as fluently as English. Now his widow shown at right with the prized chair is its owner. Entirely hand carved from a rare wood the Indians call hack-watack," found in this area only on Queen Charlotte Island, it has neither nail nor screw but is held together by wooden pegs. Once the back had a deerskin cover.
Collection:
Ketchikan Museums: Tongass Historical Society Collection, THS 97.1.1.76
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Carved rocking chair on display
Carved rocking chair on display