Featured Totem Pole Info

I recently inherited a totem pole (or perhaps the top portion of one) from a friend who passed away. I am hoping it is authentic, but I have no information about its tribe, location, nor history. It is about 7 feet tall, and I am wondering if anyone could provide any information about this or a value for insurance and/or sale.

 

@komokwa @all_fakes

 

Hi Bweems! Welcome to Antiquers..............

 

How wonderful!

 

Looks good to me! Not sure on carver's location though, neat form, I like the welcome figure.

 

this is worth more investigation.....& we'll need more information...

 

It is not badly done, though not exceptionally good; and could be genuine; a photo of the back, and good photos of the backs of the wings could help.
Is there a design or figure on the chest of the eagle? A close-up of that, which we could perhaps enhance, might be helpful.
Weathering can be hard to interpret, as it can be faster than one might expect. A wild guess might be from the area of Duncan BC, circa 1960.

 

So you think it might be one of Simon Charlie's? (I made him a set of carving tools in the 1970's BTW)
It doesn't look like Vancouver Island Salish work to me, although I'm pretty sure it is native carved. Wings will be the identifier IMO. Cool pole.

 

at 7 feet tall the proportions are out of wack...so I see why one would think it's missing more work on the bottom and or a sturdy base..

 

i'm not saying it's not legit...........yet....but the wear is inconsistent....to my eye..and the color.....well it's not classic by any means.....i need to see the base and the back.....

 

Agree on colour for sure although it could be from up Alaska way and not sure what stuff looks like up there ...the open arms look like they could have held a sign too - Maybe a campground name? or ...Edna Boil's emporium?

 

outstretched arms are a welcome figure sign........



not so much...holding a sign...

The totem above looks to me like it wants to copy a famous grave pole....

 

I like it! Please note that his (center figure) peekaboo is peeking out. I'm not sure what that means? Did the coastal indians show genitals? I've seen quite a few totems here in the NW but don't recall that any stressed male parts? Research needed.

 

umm...i don't see that....and besides..it's supposed to be a she...

Yes...naughty bits were sometimes present...........

 

I've taken a few more detailed photos of the pole. There are some details that may hopefully give clues. Photo captions describe what I'm seeing/showing.

https://imgur.com/a/2A83exl

 

can you post them here please....
some of us are skittish , clicking on links .........

 

Here you go. Hopefully the gallery feature works here. Notes:

• Back is unpainted and completely flat. Almost like it was intended to be attached to a structure and not a stand-alone pole?
• Wood dough was used for repair at some point, someone wanted to keep this thing together
• Nails are used to attach wings and arms to body. Not sure if that's expected.
• Significant dry rot/termite damage near bottom in rear.
• Metal pieces are tapped inside eagle's head to hold cracks together.
• Bottom is jagged and rotted. Not sure what this was attached to - more pole or some sort of base?

Totem Pole by bweems41 posted Jan 1, 2021 at 4:42 PM

Totem IMG_5638.jpg by bweems41 posted Jan 1, 2021 at 4:39 PM

Totem IMG_5637.jpg by bweems41 posted Jan 1, 2021 at 4:39 PM

Totem IMG_5636.jpg by bweems41 posted Jan 1, 2021 at 4:37 PM

Totem IMG_5635.jpg by bweems41 posted Jan 1, 2021 at 4:37 PM

Totem IMG_5634.jpg by bweems41 posted Jan 1, 2021 at 4:37 PM

Totem IMG_5633.jpg by bweems41 posted Jan 1, 2021 at 4:37 PM

Totem IMG_5632.jpg by bweems41 posted Jan 1, 2021 at 4:37 PM

Totem IMG_5630.jpg by bweems41 posted Jan 1, 2021 at 4:37 PM

Totem IMG_5629.jpg by bweems41 posted Jan 1, 2021 at 4:37 PM

Totem IMG_5628.jpg by bweems41 posted Jan 1, 2021 at 4:37 PM

Totem IMG_5627.jpg by bweems41 posted Jan 1, 2021 at 4:37 PM

Totem IMG_5624.jpg by bweems41 posted Jan 1, 2021 at 4:37 PM

Totem IMG_5623.jpg by bweems41 posted Jan 1, 2021 at 4:32 PM

Totem IMG_5622.jpg by bweems41 posted Jan 1, 2021 at 4:32 PM

Totem IMG_5619.jpg by bweems41 posted Jan 1, 2021 at 4:32 PM

Totem IMG_5618.jpg by bweems41 posted Jan 1, 2021 at 4:32 PM

 

Is there an easy way to tell if it's cedar? The grain looks straight and fine to me, on the wings at least, perhaps suggesting old growth, but as for determining the wood itself given such a weathered look, I don't know.