Model Totem Pole Item Number: Nb11.239 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Model totem pole with four figures, all mounted on a rectangular wooden base. Figures from bottom up: wolf, human holding fish-like animal, bird. Bottom figure is torso only, with head of wolf; large teeth, long snout, erect ears. Clothed human figure with facial paint on cheeks and painted moustache; has deep prismatic face with pronounced brow ridge; man's feet rest on wolf's head, almost forming ears; fish in his hands extends down to feet. Bird figure above has folded wings and ears. Back of pole is flat. Fragment of newspaper clipping about totem poles is glued on reverse.

Cultural Context

made for sale

Narrative

Identified by Joe David (1976) as a turn-of the century Nuu-chah-nulth pole made for sale to tourists. Although these are not traditional in themselves, many traditional figures are used.

Iconographic Meaning

Wolves, killer whales and thunderbirds are all important in traditional Nuu-chah-nulth mythology. Wolves were believed to possess supernatural powers, they had a special relationship with killer whales. The "fish" on the pole is probably a killer whale. They are believed to emerge from the sea and turn into wolves. The bird on the pole probably represents a thunderbird; a powerful being, associated with whaling.

Item History

What

Name
Model Totem Pole
Identification Number
Nb11.239
Type of Item
totem pole
Material
metal, paint and cedar wood
Manufacturing Technique
carved and painted
Overall
height 76.5 cm, width 17.0 cm, depth 12.5 cm

Who

Culture
Nuu-chah-nulth
Previous Owner
A. E. Dilger and G. H. Eaton
Received from
G. H. Eaton (Donor)

Where

Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
Made in
British Columbia, Canada

When

Creation Date
before 1920
Collection Date
during 1920
Ownership Date
before September 21, 1976
Acquisition Date
on September 21, 1976

Other

Condition
fair
Current Location
Case 10
Accession Number
0332/0001