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Model Totem Pole

Heiltsuk, Central Coast, British Columbia, ca. 1880


Learn more about Totem Poles

Totem poles are among the most iconic works of Northwest Coast First Nations art. Although it remains unknown when or where the first monumental carving appeared, the idea eventually expanded into the broad range of styles represented in totem-carving cultures from Vancouver Island to Southeast Alaska. Standing before big cedar houses on the shoreline, they are visual markers of individual and family lineages. From the second half of the nineteenth century, a period widely considered the “Golden Age” of Northwest Coast art, carvers also began making models of large-scale totem poles, and more rarely houses, for sale to outside buyers. Among the most highly skilled carvers of their time were John gwaay t’iihld, Charles Edenshaw, John Robson, Tom Price, and Simeon Stilthda. Many of these works present miniatures of larger standing poles, while others reflect a combination of new design elements.


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Antler Club N2978-6

Antler Club

Tsimshian
Northern British Columbia
ca. 1750
Inventory # N2978-6
Dzunukwa Mask CN4534

Dzunukwa Mask

Kwakwaka'wakw
Northern Vancouver Island, British Columbia
late 19th century
Inventory # CN4534
Antler Club CN1978

Antler Club

Haida or Tsimshian
Northern British Columbia
18th century or earlier
Inventory # CN1978
Portrait Mask CN3207

Portrait Mask

Tsimshian
Northern British Columbia
ca. 1820-40
Inventory # CN3207
Pair of Lions CN3848

Pair of Lions

Haida
Haida Gwaii, British Columbia
ca. 1840
Inventory # CN3848
Portrait Mask N3175

Portrait Mask

Tlingit
Southeastern Alaska
ca. 1860
Inventory # N3175
Oystercatcher Rattle N4337

Oystercatcher Rattle

attributed to Kadjisdu.acxh II
Tlingit
Southeast Alaska
ca. 1770-1790
Inventory # N4337
Sold
Dagger Hilt N3193

Dagger Hilt

Tsimshian
Northern British Columbia
ca. 1850
Inventory # N3193
Shaman’s Cup N2088

Shaman's Cup

Tlingit
Southeastern Alaska
ca. 1780-1810
Inventory # N2088
Dagger Hilt N3283

Dagger Hilt

Haida
Haida Gwaii, British Columbia
ca. 1860
Inventory # N3283

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