Featured Model Totem Pole , NWC (not Indonesian)

@komokwa, @all_fakes - I would appreciate your opinions this. I know it is not classic Haida or Tlingit style. Might it be Nuu-chah-nulth, or something else? (Hopefully not boy scout.)

18 3/4" tall. Beak has been broken and glued. No signature that I can find. Appears to be cedar, and has been varnished.

Thank you.

 

No worries, it's legit !
Better than average quality and height for a possibly Nitinaht tourist pole circa mid century.... give or take a few years..

the varnish is classic.
most likely carved with only a pocket knife.....

 

Wonderful! Thanks. I knew you would know.

 

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/151...c_type=cs&ref=pla_similar_listing_top-5&pro=1

here's a smaller version....
less work and detail...
ignore the cost...the seller's on Meth !!

 

I knew he would know too!

Debora

 

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/145...MI6-_cxpKwgAMVV8DICh3fTwJhEAkYDiABEgLo4fD_BwE

again similar.......but these were banged out without much thought to the traditions.

 

I like the little smiley face, and the Lego man at the bottom..

 

And what about those kissy lips.
Yours is the best of the lot.

Edit: I just looked at that one from the side, and noticed that the lips are actually a mouth and red nostrils.

 

As usual, Komo knows.

 

my friend is up in Ketchikan , before getting on a cruise ....

of course he sends me this ........

.

 

One nice thing is that I now know where this smaller one, that has been sitting in my cabinet of curiosities for several years, comes from. I had forgotten it was in there. Now I have to rearrange things to fit the big one in..... Just noticed - which way is the right way for their wings?

 

up......almost always swept up...with feathers pointing down.....

 

4 what it is....the little one is well made !!

more attention to detail than many others it's size and era..

 

Great. Now I have to dig him back out and rotate his wings. Ouch.

 

there are few exceptions....




but they are few..

below ....classic.....upswept wing structure..





.

it's the old ones attached on the back by one nail...that overtime ...twirl.....so they can point in the wrong direction.....without looking like there's anything wrong or altered.... well....except the design is wrong...

 

Yes, the "upside down" wings are attached with one nail - but very firmly. I don't see any evidence of glue, but it is not out of the question. I think I will just let it be one of the few exceptions rather then mess with it. The larger one has a ledge on the back that prevents the wings from turning - a nice refinement.