Native American, North America, Pacific Northwest Coast, probably Alaska, ca. mid-20th century CE. A hand-carved walrus ivory totem pole of a slender form presented atop a separately carved rectangular ivory base. Displayed on this totem pole - from bottom to top - is a seated anthropomorphic figure holding a canoe oar, a raven with tightly folded wings, an eagle with an anthropomorphic figure seated in front of its breast, and another eagle with a conical whaling hat as well as an abstract zoomorphic face - perhaps a bear - in front of its chest. Black pigment accentuates several areas of each character, and soft red pigment adorns the center-most anthropomorphic figure. Size: 0.6" W x 5.3" H (1.5 cm x 13.5 cm)

The design of this totem pole is based on the famous Chief Shakes totem pole in Wrangell, Alaska. Its elaborate zoomorphic motifs represent a portion of the Tlingit creation myth about how the Raven - who was let out of the box - stole the light that created the sun and stars. The belief was that animals were once humans who were scared into the forests and seas by the light that the Raven let out of the box

This is a pre-Act piece of walrus ivory under the MMPA and cannot be sold internationally or to anyone residing in the states of California, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington. We guarantee that the piece was made prior to 1972.

Provenance: private Southern California, USA collection, bestowed 2006; ex-J. Malter collection, Los Angeles, California, USA, acquired before 2006

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#167843

Totem pole is not permanently attached to base but does sit snugly within a carved mortise. Very minor nicks to some characters and light fading to applied pigments, otherwise intact and very good. Nice preservation to finer details. Old inventory label beneath base reads, "KIRMSE'S / SKAGWAY - ALASKA."