Model Totem Pole Item Number: Nb3.1307 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Model totem pole painted brown, black, green, and red-brown. It consists of a human figure on a base; a long fish held face down in front of the human; and an eagle with outstretched wings standing on the human's head. The base and wings are separate pieces of wood, attached by nails and glue. Painted designs include facial features, face painting on the human, fish scales, a face on the eagle's body. Signed "Charlie James" and "EGD" on back; "Duncan" written on base.
History Of Use
Model totem poles were first created in response to a demand by the tourist trade for a portable product of this region during the last decades of the 19th century.
Cultural Context
commercial art
Item History
- Made by Charlie James (Maker) in Fort Rupert, British Columbia, Canada and Tsaxis, British Columbia, Canada before 1938
- Owned by Marjorie Duncan before June 1976
- Received from Marjorie Duncan (Donor) during June 1976
What
Who
- Culture
- Kwakwaka'wakw
- Creator
- Charlie James (Maker)
- Previous Owner
- Marjorie Duncan
- Received from
- Marjorie Duncan (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Fort Rupert, British Columbia, Canada and Tsaxis, British Columbia, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- before 1938
- Ownership Date
- before June 1976
- Acquisition Date
- during June 1976
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 0311/0001