Carving Traditions of Northwest California

The people of the Klamath River region in Northwestern California possess one of the richest carving traditions in Native American art. Today this tradition is undergoing an exciting revival, reaching aesthetic heights not seen in a century. This volume includes a facisimile reprint of a 1930 essay by archaeologist Isabel Kelly, "The Carver's Art of the Indians of Northwestern Califrnia." An extensive introduction to the art by Ira Jacknis is the first substantial writing on this subject in over half a century. It is comprehensive and based on information from the makers and users of these objects, combining a summary of the scholarly literature, archival field notes, museum collections, and observations and interviews with contemporary artists. Photographs show the historic objects in use and a generous sampling of new work.

Ira Jacknis is associate research anthropologist at the Phoebe Hearst Museum.

Acknowledgments

Classics in California Anthropology: Introduction to the Phoebe Hearst Museum Reprint Series by Rosemary Joyce

Carving Traditions of Northwest California by Ira Jacknis

--Preface

--The Cultural Context

--The History of Collection and Study

--Principal Forms and Functions

--The Role of the Carver

--Materials, Tools, and Techniques

--Aesthetics: Designs and Symbolism

--The Survival of Klamath River Carving (1930-1970)

--The Art Today

--Notes

--References

Appendix: The Carver's Art of the Indians of Northwestern California by Isabel T. Kelly (facsimile reprint)