Known carvers of Metlakatla: Sydney Campbell, 1840-1934 Conrad Mather?, 1849-1907, father of Casper Mather Eli Tait, 1872-1949 Eddie Feak, Eli Tait's stepson; 1903-1981 Edward Keith Mather, 1848-1925; a blacksmith and silver-worker, known for his spoons; father of Paul Mather. Casper Mather 1876 or 77-1972 Conrad R. Mather, Paul's son, Ketchikan teacher, 1923-2002 George Mather Sr, Paul's son, carpenter, Ketchikan, 1918-1990 George Mather Jr, grandson of Paul Mather. Clyde Boyd, 1924-1976 Roy Bolton Wallace Leighton, a carver and fisherman Richard Leighton, carver and fisherman John Reese? Contemporary artists: (also see Modern Revival) Stanley Marsden, Eli Tait's wife's grandson Rick Booth (Great-grandson of Eli Tait) David Boxley (Born in Ketchikan, raised in Metlakatla) Tim Milne Sr. (Studied with Jack Hudson; cousin of Clyde Boyd Jr.) Mark Milne Sr. (Studied with Jack Hudson; cousin of Clyde Boyd Jr.) Gloria Milne, graphic arts, a Boyd cousin |
(The list of known carvers is below.) |
Some questions about the Metlakatla carvers |
The totem poles carved by early Metlakatlans are very distinctive in style. Some questions are more biographical, while others have to do with how this style developed: 1) The "good-luck totem" (eagle-salmon-bear): was there a full-size original somewhere? If so, where? or 2) Did one of the carvers invent that design? If so, who? 3) How was the design transmitted to other carvers? Apprenticeship, or just copying? or 4) Were there relationships of blood or marriage between the carving families? 5) Were there any descendants who also carved? Other biographical questions: 6) Dates and location of birth and death, marriages, jobs worked; military service, and so on.......Other relatives? 7) Photographs? And 8) What did they think about their carving? Did they think of it as a source of income only; as a preservation of traditions; as art? |
Please contact me if you know any of the answers |
(The list of known carvers is below.) |
Known carvers of Metlakatla: Sydney Campbell, 1840-1934 Conrad Mather?, 1849-1907, father of Casper Mather Eli Tait, 1872-1949 Eddie Feak, Eli Tait's stepson; 1903-1981 Edward Keith Mather, 1848-1925; a blacksmith and silver-worker, known for his spoons; father of Paul Mather. Casper Mather 1876 or 77-1972 Conrad R. Mather, Paul's son, Ketchikan teacher, 1923-2002 George Mather Sr, Paul's son, carpenter, Ketchikan, 1918-1990 George Mather Jr, grandson of Paul Mather. Clyde Boyd, 1924-1976 Roy Bolton Wallace Leighton, a carver and fisherman Richard Leighton, carver and fisherman John Reese? Contemporary artists: (also see Modern Revival) Stanley Marsden, Eli Tait's wife's grandson Rick Booth (Great-grandson of Eli Tait) David Boxley (Born in Ketchikan, raised in Metlakatla) Tim Milne Sr. (Studied with Jack Hudson; cousin of Clyde Boyd Jr.) Mark Milne Sr. (Studied with Jack Hudson; cousin of Clyde Boyd Jr.) Gloria Milne, graphic arts, a Boyd cousin |
