Native American, Pacific Northwest Coast, Canada, British Columbia, Tsimshian tribe, ca. 1930s CE. This is a charming hand-carved and painted totem pole depicting several zoomorphic and anthropomorphic figures. The pole is carved entirely from one piece of wood and attached to a rectangular base. The underside of the base has a handwritten tribe name: "Tsimsyan" (Tsimshian) and is also inscribed with the year 1947 and a dedication from a "Bill T.," perhaps the name of the unknown artist. The lowest part is comprised of two brown creatures, the base is a bear, while the second might be a beaver - the knob at the front representing a tail. Atop is an eagle, an orca whale, and an anthropomorphic head as the finial piece: a man with a tall, white hat. All is painted in bright hues of red, yellow, green, brown, white, and black. Size: 5" W x 18.5" H (12.7 cm x 47 cm)
Provenance: private Alamo, California, USA collection, before 2000
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#167803
Condition
Pole is slightly loose from base. Chips and abrasions to high pointed areas. Minor fading and discoloration to pigments. Handwritten dedication and date on base are slightly faded and illegible. Otherwise intact and very good.