Native American, Pacific Northwest, Canada, British Columbia, Kwakwaka'wakw (Kwakiutl), ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A trio of hand-carved wooden totem poles with attached wings and attached flat bases that are carved separately. Two poles are painted with bright pigments and all three depict a thunderbird at the top above a seated bear. The largest is unpainted to show off the fine-grained wood, probably cedar or alder. The style and technique suggest that this piece is consistent with other examples by Ray Williams! Size of totem with label: 7.75" W x 10.5" H (19.7 cm x 26.7 cm); painted: 10" W x 10" H (25.4 cm x 25.4 cm); unpainted: 11" W x 13" H (27.9 cm x 33 cm)

Provenance: ex-private Ventura, California, USA collection

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#167523

The two shorter poles are slightly loose on their bases. The wings on all three are slightly loose but still secure. One has a hand-written address in pencil on the verso. The labels on the versos of the poles have losses to edges. Surface wear and chips to high pointed areas. All are intact. Minor wear and fading to painted pigments.