Featured 3 Northwest Coast Pieces Souvenirs? Commercial?

Hi All,
ok, another 3 pieces with questions. None are marked/signed. Would these have been commercially made pieces for souvenirs rather than one off pieces? Any idea on age? The wood is quite thick, almost 1".
any help appreciated
thanks for looking
#1 looks like a bookend, I only have one. It is 12 3/4"H x 7 1/4" x 5 1/2"D

 

#2 is 8 3/4" x 11 1/2", not sure what type of face this is, abalone shell eyes

 

#3 is a wood plaque, abalone shell inserts, 7 1/4" x 11"

 

#2...is a Tlingit wolf...a copy of this belt buckle...but I doubt it's native made....
https://www.buckleshop.com/images/imagetwolf.jpg

 

#1.... bookend
totem pole flanked by twin killer whales...
very nice, northern style carving that likely came from the K'san School...

Located in the historical village of Ksan at Hazelton, the school offers a four-year program dedicated to the renewal and passing of this special art form to succeeding generations. Students strengthen and build on the old art traditions by training in the style and skills of master carvers. Many well-established Northwest Coast artists have marked their beginnings at the Kitanmaax School. Ksan was the first to offer Northwest Coast Indian art in formal instruction. Contributing in the renaissance of the art form, Gitanmaax School of Northwest Coast Indian Art has played a role in elevating the arts profile to a higher degree of popularity and esteem.


https://www.sfu.ca/brc/virtual_vill...ksan-historic-village-and-museum-gallery.html

the carvings show good technical skill, and leap to make a 2 dimensional plaque....become a 3 D carving functional art work.

 

#3.. lovely northern style wolf , full of piss & vinegar !!

likely from K'san as well..... but not a certainty....
a student from K'san....... most likely..

the students there....no matter the level..... did not always sign their works.

1 and 3 ...... 60's...70's...... there abouts....

u can now clearly see......... number 2 ... don't belong with the others

 

wonderful, thanks very much for the information Komokwa, it is very helpful

yes, I agree, not the same at all

 

my pleasure.....

number 1 , is a keeper...

 

#3 is good also, and I'd also go with K'San. It has a very "squared-off" style, and a number of the students and teachers there were experimenting with a style which gave a more square interpretation to the traditional forms.
The carving on that is done very correctly, using what are called "stop-cuts." An area which will eventually be given a shallow sloping profile is first surrounded by a deep V-groove; then the shallow slope is cut in. This gives a clean appearance to the carving, and also prevents an accidental over-run which would split the surrounding wood and ruin the piece.
(This is a good stylistic detail to learn to recognize, as most fakers and non-native carvers are not familiar with this aspect, so when it is present, there is a great likelihood that the item is genuine and native-made.)
It is not quite so obvious on #1, but is present there also.

 

Came across this a few years ago - Somewhat similar to #3.

 

The bookend is my favorite, but they are all beautiful.

 

thanks for all the info all_fakes

that is a nice piece Drew

thanks Fig

 

it's a nice eagle but not as old , and done in a more southern style...
likely a Kwakiutl carver...

 

thanks Komokwa your knowledge is very impressive, thank-you for sharing it freely with us (so hoping some of it sinks in to my little grey cells)

 

K'san School, Hazelton BC-Beautiful ! I've been in Northern Oregon for 22 years and it's a great place.But I never felt like I was most truly, deeply in the Pacific NW til we got to wilder areas of BC Canada.The Mists,trees,eagles,the islands,(spirits ?)-holy place.

 

That one is my favourite. It is more what artists call 'an artist's piece', where the artist has added something of their own to tradition, making it more artistic and personal. It goes beyond excellent craftspersonship, and it is what I always look for in any style of art.

 

Just noticed the back is signed Ray Wadhams . .

 

Lots of Wadhams carvings-Will and Ray.You sleuthed Your own piece.Will was born in Alert Bay,BC,maybe Ray too.

 

#1 beauty,too bad there's so much varnish on # 2 .

 

of course it is !

he follows in Lloyd's footsteps...!