Model Totem Pole

Item number A6681 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

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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.