Native Art with the Finest Detail
Tribal Crafts offers for sale Haida argillite carvings, Alaskan walrus ivory carvings and baleen basketry, Northwest Coast wood carvings and basketry, as well as Inuit tupilaks from East Greenland crafted ONLY by Native Artists. Our focus is on providing native art with the FINEST DETAIL. To show-cast the finest detail, many of the images will be a little slow loading. PLEASE be patient. THANK YOU!
Haida Argillite Carvings
Argillite is a slate rock found on Haida-Gwaii near the village of Skidegate. Native artists are creating Haida argillite carvings which reflect past traditions of more than 200 years. Many of current carvers are carving sculptures using knowledge which has been passed down by the older craftsmen whose activities and careers are well known in the villages of Massett and Skidegate. The carvings continue to reflect the ancient traditions and myths of the Haida culture. The Haida people presently maintain sole custody over the deposit of argillite.
Alaskan Ivory Carvings
Alaskan ivory carvings are being made by three native groups: the Yupik, Inupiaq, and the Cup’it. The Yupik live principally in the villages of Gambell and Savoonga on St. Lawrence Island. The island is located off the Northwest coast of Alaska, 32 miles from the Siberian coast, in the Bering Sea. Additionally, some Yupik live near the Bering Sea on the mainland coast of Alaska.
The Inupiaq originate from the Kings Islands but many live on mainland Alaska. A number of Inupiaq live in the vicinity of Nome, Alaska. Baleen baskets are made by Inupiaq artists.
The Cup’it native people live on Nunivak Island and they have carved walrus tusks and produced native art with the finest detail. Nunivak Island is located in the Bering Sea and is approximately 135 miles west of Bethel, Alaska. At the present time there are approximately 200 people living on Nunivak Island in one settlement, Mekoryuk.
Northwest Coast Wood Carvings
Northwest coast carvings including wooden totem poles, masks and bowls are being crafted by native artists. The carvings play an important part in their traditional ceremonies. There are many nations within this region. Some of the major nations are the Coast Salish, Haida, Kwakwaka’wakw, Nisga’a, Nuu-chah-nulth, Nuxalt, Tlingit, and Tsimshian. Basketry also plays a major role in traditional ceremonies One of the finest of all Northwest Coast weavers is Haida artist Isabel Roorick. She continues to weave spruce root baskets and she makes baskets with the finest detail. Many serious collects seek her works.
Inuit Tupilaks
Tupilaks are a form of Greenlandic Inuit art that has existed for many centuries. Tupilaks are carved to depict spiritual creatures. Historically, tupilaks were used to cast spells on the enemies of the tupilak maker. During recent times, tupilaks are being carved from a variety of materials such as stone, wood, ivory, and caribou antler. The interest in collecting tupilaks has increased significantly during the past several decades.
