House Post

Item number Nbz717 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

Public

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Data
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Description

House post carved from cedar wood, natural finish. Figure of a man standing on a round base, with a plain body and arms at his sides. Incised mouth and round eyes, flat face with straight brow ridges. Large u-shaped headdress on top.

History Of Use

Salish house boards and posts depict mythical creatures associated with family history, notable ancestors, events which displayed ancestors' spirit powers, or magical privileges of the family. They faced into the large winter houses, declaiming the long history, wealth and high status of the family. Representations of people utilise naturalistic proportions, while limbs are posed as if the figures were in action. Michael Kew (1980) notes that "these features are aspects of an emphasis on realism, which in the case of human effigy figures extended to rendering buttons and other details of clothing."

Cultural Context

status; ancestral figure

Specific Techniques

The artist selected a good quality log and maintained the moisture level of the wood while working on this piece to ensure that cracking wood be minimal. He plugged the few knots that were present with dowells. A crack that was in the log at the beginning of the project was filled with a wedge.

Iconographic Meaning

This housepost depicts Capilano I, a famous warrior and Musqueam ancestor.

Narrative

This post is a copy of an old house post from the museum's collection. The original is known as the Capilano House Post (A50003). The Museum commissioned Stan Greene to carve this replica in 1981. The original, which last stood at Musqueam, is in very poor condition. Greene took measurements of the original and used early photographs to create this version. He was chosen as the artist because of his technical skill and commitment to reviving Coast Salish artistic traditions. Once completed this post was displayed at Expo’ 86. After Expo it was placed on long-term loan to the Musqueam Band. It now stands in Musqueam's Heritage Park across the street from the Elder’s Centre.