Model Totem Pole Item Number: Nb9.63 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Model pole with a frog, raven, bear and human wearing shaman's headdress (bottom to top). Back has been hollowed out slightly.
Narrative
The cultural attribution for this piece has been uncertain since it was acquired. Richardson said he collected it in Bella Coola, and Bill Holm thought it could be from the central coast. However other curators and artists had noted the headdress being carved in a Tlingit style. In 2019 Christopher Smith attributed the pole to Samuel Elwitt, a Tsimshian carver. In particular he said this pole is related to the style of production of the Museum of Vancouver spoon (AA 777), a beaver hat in the American Museum of Natural History (16.1/369), and several model poles (VII-C-331, VII-C-334, VII-C-335) at the Canadian Museum of History.
Item History
- Made by Samuel Elwitt (Maker) in British Columbia, Canada between 1900 and 1910
- Collected in Bella Coola, British Columbia, Canada ?
- Owned by Howard Roloff
- Owned by Thomas R. Richardson before 1998
- Owned by Frances M. Richardson before November 18, 1998
- Received from Frances M. Richardson (Donor) on November 18, 1998
What
- Name
- Model Totem Pole
- Identification Number
- Nb9.63
- Type of Item
- totem pole
- Material
- wood and paint
- Overall
- height 35.7 cm, width 8.0 cm, depth 8.7 cm
Who
- Culture
- Tsimshian
- Creator
- Samuel Elwitt (Maker)
- Previous Owner
- Howard Roloff, Thomas R. Richardson and Frances M. Richardson
- Received from
- Frances M. Richardson (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in
- Bella Coola, British Columbia, Canada ?
When
- Creation Date
- between 1900 and 1910
- Ownership Date
- before 1998 and before November 18, 1998
- Acquisition Date
- on November 18, 1998
Other
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 11
- Accession Number
- 1768/0008