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THBSigned Early 20th C. Tlingit Wood Totem Pole
Lot 87
About Seller
Artemis Gallery
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$800 - $1,200
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About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
Jul 25, 2019
Set Reminder
2019-07-25 10:00:00
2019-07-25 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Pre-Columbian | Tribal | Ethnographic
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/pre-columbian-tribal-ethnographic-4291
Featuring ancient and ethnographic art from around the world, including Pre-Columbian, Native American, African / Tribal, Ethnographic, Spanish Colonial, Fossils, Fine Art, much more. Many Oceanic pieces from an important Tucson, Arizona collection, first time at auction!! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Featuring ancient and ethnographic art from around the world, including Pre-Columbian, Native American, African / Tribal, Ethnographic, Spanish Colonial, Fossils, Fine Art, much more. Many Oceanic pieces from an important Tucson, Arizona collection, first time at auction!! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (363)
- Lot Description
Native American, Pacific Northwest Coast, Tlingit ca. early 20th century CE. A handsome and imaginative wooden totem pole featuring a thunderbird perched upon a bear holding a fish in his paws - with "Michael Johnson Thunderbird & Bear Tlingit" handwritten on the underside of the base. To the Tlingit peoples and other cultures of the Pacific Northwest, the Thunderbird represents power, strength, and protection. The Tlingit believe he can transform from avian to human by removing his head like a mask and removing his feathers like a blanket. The visages under his wings represent lightning snakes, which the Thunderbird uses as weapons or tools. The bear is oftentimes embraced as a medicine bear with magical healing powers; the bear also symbolizes courage, strength, health, and family. Size: 13.25" W x 19.5" H (33.7 cm x 49.5 cm); 20.25" H (51.4 cm) including base.
Interestingly, various Native American legends from tribes of the Pacific Northwest tell of a bear abducting a chief's daughter. According to the story, this woman of high status had been out in the woods picking berries, when she stepped on some bear dung and cursed aloud, insulting the bear's cleanliness. Two nearby bears who heard her were upset and decided to teach her a lesson. One bear magically transformed himself into a dashing young man who approached this woman, and convinced her to accompany him to his mountain house. Upon falling in love with him, she too became partially bear-like. The two married and had twin cubs - born resembling bears but could metamorphose themselves into a human form just like their father. When the woman's brothers found her, they retaliated by killing her husband. They all then returned to the village, only the two bear sons felt out of place and eventually returned to the forest. All Bear Clan members are said to descend from this woman and her two sons. Hence, it is believed that there is a bear within every one of us, and that we must accept and embrace this in our lives.
Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
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#146519Normal surface wear with expected scuffs/scratches commensurate with age. "Michael Johnson Thunderbird & Bear Tlingit" is handwritten on underside of the base.Condition
- Shipping Info
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