Charles Edenshaw

Charles Edenshaw (–1920) was a Haida artist from Haida Gwaii, British Columbia. He is known for his woodcarving, argillite carving, jewellery, and painting. His style was known for its originality and innovative narrative forms, created while adhering to the principles of formline art characteristic of Haida art. In 1902, the ethnographer and collector Charles F. Newcombe called Edenshaw “the best carver in wood and stone now living.”

Early life and family Edenshaw (whose name was also spelled Edensaw, or Edenso from the Haida chiefly name ) was born at the Haida village of Skidegate, on Haida Gwaii, located 27 miles off of the coast of British Columbia Canada. His father was of the lineage of the Raven moiety. His mother, whose lineage identity he followed in the Haida matrilineal system, was (later Mrs. John Robson) of the Eagle moiety's lineage, of which Charles eventually became chief. He spent his early years at Kiusta and Yatza in northwestern Haida Gwaii.

His chiefly name was ; his Haida name was As an infant, Edenshaw was also given the names N∂ngkwigetklałs (“They Gave Ten Potlatches for Him”) and ("Fairies Coming to You as in a Big Wave"). His parents were able to potlatch extensively, indicating that they were prosperous and held considerable influence in their community. As was customary, Da•axiigang was tattooed at these ceremonies; his daughter Florence Davidson recalled eagle, seawolf, and frog tattoos on his on his back, arms, legs, chest, and hands. Da•axiigang's father was known as an expert canoe maker; while he died when Da•axiigang was a boy, it is likely that he gave his son instruction in woodcarving. and great-grandfather to the weaving artist Isabel Rorick. Through his sister, he is also great-great uncle to renowned contemporary artist Bill Reid.

As an artist According to Florence, Edenshaw began carving argillite and silver when he was about 14. While the carving of argillite was initiated by other Haida artists as early as 1820, Edenshaw was the first to carve in precious metals. It is assumed that his work pre-1880 included poles, masks, frontlets, chests, and feast dishes, which was the range of Haida art made for ceremonial use. Six full-sized poles were attributed to Edenshaw; two have since been determined to have been the work of his uncle. and Oxford University's Pitt Rivers Museum.

Edenshaw was featured on the Haida Northwest Indian Heritage dollar issued in 1977.