Model Totem Pole Item Number: 3360/1 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Model pole fully carved on the front and sides, and hollowed in a V-shape on the back. Likely carved of alder, with a separate base of painted fir. Figures represented from bottom to top include: a bear holding a killer-whale in its mouth; a human with its hands over the bear's eyebrows; a bear holding a downward-facing raven in its mouth; a salmon in the raven's mouth; a killer-whale in split view; an eagle. The pole is highlighted with some elements painted green-blue, black, red and white. Other areas are unpainted. The base is painted black and nailed on.

History Of Use

Attributed to a school of artists including Luke Watson (primary carver), working in collaboration with George Smith and/or Thomas Moody. The carving is characteristic of the work of several Skidegate Haida artists of the first half of the 20th century, influenced by the style of John Cross.

Narrative

The pole is said to have been given to D.M. MacKay (the donor's father) by someone from the W.H. Collison family. MacKay was Commissioner of Indian Affairs for BC in the 1940s. There is a photo of the pole, as part of the W.H. Collison collection, in the Northern BC Archives (2009.7.1.196).

Item History

What

Name
Model Totem Pole
Identification Number
3360/1
Type of Item
totem pole
Material
alder wood ?, paint, fir wood and metal
Overall
height 116.0 cm, width 31.7 cm, depth 26.7 cm

Who

Culture
Haida
Creator
Luke Watson ? (Maker)
Previous Owner
William Henry Collison and D. Ross MacKay
Received from
D. Ross MacKay (Donor)

Where

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

When

Creation Date
during 1930
Ownership Date
before May 10, 2019
Acquisition Date
on May 10, 2019

Other

Condition
good
Accession Number
3360/0001