Figure Item Number: A17026 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Wooden figure of a man, missing arms; shallow carved facial features; nails used as eyes.
History Of Use
Possibly made as a grave marker, in the Similkameen Valley area.
Narrative
The Princeton and District Pioneer Museum is thought to hold a photographic plate of this carving. The photo was reproduced in a book by Margaret Ormsby, titled "A Pioneer Gentlewoman in British Columbia: The Recollections of Susan Allison". In the book, the image (plate 17) is captioned: "An Indian statue presented as a gift to Mrs. Allison by her Similkameen Indian friends." There is also said to be a photograph taken c. 1895 that shows Allison standing behind the figure, in which the caption states: "the wooden figure is a good example of Interior Salish Indian grave marker figures..." (in the BC Archives?). Allison moved to Princeton c. 1868, with her husband, until her retirement to Vancouver in the 1920s. It was not documented how the piece became part of the George Raley collection.
Item History
- Made in Princeton, British Columbia, Canada ? before 1900
- Collected before 1948
- Owned by Susan Allison before 1937
- Owned by George Henry Raley before November 1948
- Received from H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) and George Henry Raley (Seller) during November 1948
What
Who
- Culture
- Interior Salish: Nlaka'pamux
- Previous Owner
- Susan Allison and George Henry Raley
- Received from
- H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) and George Henry Raley (Seller)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Princeton, British Columbia, Canada ?
When
- Creation Date
- before 1900
- Collection Date
- before 1948
- Ownership Date
- before 1937 and before November 1948
- Acquisition Date
- during November 1948
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Current Location
- Case 33
- Accession Number
- 1960/0590