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Iconographic Meaning

Represents Copper Maker, tlh!aqwagila, who, while walking on the sand, saw clams squirting in many colours. He dug and found little coppers that brought him much wealth. James King's ancestor was Copper Maker, thus the staff was carved with the "copper clams" as his crest (J.C. King, 1969).

History Of Use

Speaker's staff or talking stick.

Description

Long staff with carved standing human figure joined (with wiggle nails) to the top. Six miniature coppers nailed to the staff, the uppermost nailed to the figure's chest. The lowest copper is a t-shaped scrap. A piece of abalone is glued to the front of the staff below the two central coppers, and the entire staff is painted red. The figure stands erect with his right arm outstretched, the other at his side. He wears brown-painted clothing and a red painted skull cap decorated with four pieces of abalone at front, back and sides. The face carving is highlighted with red and black paint and is heavily shellacked. Rubber cap on bottom.

Narrative

According to Hawthorn (Kwakiutl Art, Plate X-B,C), this staff was owned by James King of Kingcome Inlet, originally made for J. C. King's great-uncle or grandfather in 1890. The staff is named "Kla Kwa Gila", meaning 'copper making'. Jim was a very important potlatch speaker and last of the traditional speakers. He came from a high ranking family. Bill Cranmer, who was like an adopted son to Jim King was given all of his rights. The staff was carved with "copper clams" because Copper Maker was a crest of King (J.C. King 1969).