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Model Totem Pole

MOA: University of British Columbia

3360/1

Model pole fully carved on the front and sides, and hollowed in a V-shape on the back. Likely carved of alder, with a separate base of painted fir. Figures represented from bottom to top include: a bear holding a killer-whale in its mouth; a human with its hands over the bear's eyebrows; a bear holding a downward-facing raven in its mouth; a salmon in the raven's mouth; a killer-whale in split view; an eagle. The pole is highlighted with some elements painted green-blue, black, red and white. Other areas are unpainted. The base is painted black and nailed on.

  • History Of Use

    Attributed to a school of artists including Luke Watson (primary carver), working in collaboration with George Smith and/or Thomas Moody. The carving is characteristic of the work of several Skidegate Haida artists of the first half of the 20th century, influenced by the style of John Cross.

  • Narrative

    The pole is said to have been given to D.M. MacKay (the donor's father) by someone from the W.H. Collison family. MacKay was Commissioner of Indian Affairs for BC in the 1940s. There is a photo of the pole, as part of the W.H. Collison collection, in the Northern BC Archives (2009.7.1.196).

  • Type of Item totem pole
  • Culture Haida
  • Material alder wood, paint, fir wood, metal
  • Measurements height 116.0 cm, width 31.7 cm, depth 26.7 cm (overall)
  • Creator Luke Watson
  • Previous Owner William Henry Collison, D. Ross MacKay
  • Received from D. Ross MacKay
  • Made in British Columbia
  • Creation Date during 1930
  • Ownership Date before May 10, 2019
  • Acquisition Date on May 10, 2019
  • Condition good
  • Accession Number 3360/0001

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