Model Totem Pole Item Number: A6681 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Small wooden totem pole with four figures. The front of the totem pole has three planes into which the four figures are carved. The figures may represent abstract forms of sea or water animals, possibly a whale, fish and frog? The figures are painted green and accented with white. The pole is painted red and rests on a small base painted green and red.
History Of Use
Traditionally, Coast Salish sculptures took the form of large-scale houseposts and boards, which were decorated with realistic looking animal, human and supernatural figures. Totem poles, originally only carved by their northern neighbours, became more popular in the early 20th century as tourist art. Many scholars feel that traditional styles of Coast Salish "art" were overlooked because it expressed private, non-secular experiences of the makers and they were reticent to discuss it or sell it to individuals outside of their communities. Miniature carved objects, such as totem poles and canoes, were popular forms of tourist art in the 20th century and are found in many museum collections.
Cultural Context
contemporary art; tourist art
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada
- Received from Unknown (Unknown)
What
- Name
- Model Totem Pole
- Identification Number
- A6681
- Type of Item
- totem pole
- Material
- wood and paint
- Manufacturing Technique
- carved and painted
- Overall
- height 40.0 cm, width 5.5 cm, depth 4.0 cm
Who
- Culture
- Coast Salish
- Received from
- Unknown (Unknown)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Current Location
- Case 6