Salish Carved Cedar TOTEM

Matched pair of Salish Native American totem poles. Both identical. Carved as a thunderbird with spread rings separately carved and attached perched on the head of a human over a sea...

72" TOTEM by Doug Lafortune. Salish TOTEM pole of a raven and beaver cedar TOTEM pole. Carved TOTEM pole with abalone and shell inlays. Carved. .72” x 9...

Northwest totem with whale, man figure (possibly prominent individual within the tribe or society where the hands are shown in a holding position which...

Makah TOTEM by Young Doctor (1851-1934). Neah Bay, Washington. This monumental pole is a significant piece of Northwest Coast art and Seattle history that was previously owned by Joseph Edward “Daddy” Standley, the founder of the iconic Ye Olde Curiosity Shop in Seattle, Washington. The pole was displayed for years on the grounds of Standley’s “TOTEM Place” estate in West Seattle, across the bay from his iconic ethnographic art and curio shop on the Seattle Waterfront. So popular amongst tourists was the TOTEM Place estate grounds, that the Southwest Seattle Historical Society has stated that “for decades... it was a place where tour buses stopped, and flashbulbs popped. It probably was the most gawked-at, talked-about residence in West Seattle.” This pole was even featured in situ at Standley’s West Seattle home on a postcard that was sold to visitors through Ye Olde Curiosity Shop. While there are multitudes of model poles and other artifacts available to collectors that were sold as souvenirs from Ye Olde Curiosity Shop, objects that were actually owned by Standley are virtually unknown in the art market. The vast majority of objects that Standley esteemed and considered his private collection have remained with his family and descendants and are on permanent display in the store. Among the objects owned by Standley to make their way into the Smithsonian was a Spirit Canoe sculpture by Makah master carver Young Doctor (1851-1934), the likely carver of this pole. It would appear that Standley and Young Doctor had a good working relationship as a number of pieces, including this TOTEM, an elaborate transformation mask, the aforementioned Spirit Canoe model at NMAI, and a full model set of a Makah whaling crew and canoe were made for Standley by the artist. This large-scale TOTEM pole is an exceptional example of turn-of-the-20th-century Northwest Coast carving...

This large pole was “donated to a church on the northern tip of Vancouver Island for a fundraiser” sometime around 1905. The pole is carved in a folk-art style that is correct for the period. The imagery on this pole is quite fascinating and includes a large bird whose wings form the face of a composite creature holding what appears to be a whale or fish. Below that is what appears to be a Sisiutl, or three-headed sea serpent. Under the Sisiutl is a pair of animal heads flanking the pole, perhaps wolves, over a colonial bald eagle. This pole is a large and early Nuu-chah-nulth totem carving...

Tsonoqua/Dzunukwa, “The Wild Woman of the Woods,” is an important ancestor figure to the Kwakwaka’wakw people of British Columbia. A giantess that fills important cultural roles during the potlatch, she is best known as a wealth-bringing being to those who encounter her and as a creature that parents tell their children stories about to make them behave and not venture far from the village – as she is also a cannibal and has been known to snatch stray children from the woods. She is the female counterpart of the male Bak’was, the Kwakwaka’wakw “Wild Man of the Woods.” Tsonoqua is analogous to the Coast Salish Sasq’ets, better known as Sasquatch, the Nuxalk Sniniq (female) and Buks (male), the Tsimshian Ba’oosh, the Haida Gagiit, the Athabaskan Hairy Man (or Woman), and the Tlingit Tl’anaxéedáakw. She is also what a lot of folks would call Bigfoot. This pole is carved in a Coast Salish style but shows several Kwakwaka’wakw influences, so is perhaps better termed a female Sasq’ets pole. This pole shares a lot of stylistic elements with work by the Coast Salish Horne family and was perhaps carved by one of them. The features of the face that identify this pole as a Wild Woman are the tightly squinted eyes, the prominent cheekbones, and the pursed red lips that depict her making her telltale whistling call. Large breasts are created by “split-u” formline elements on her chest, motifs which are repeated (unpainted) on her arms and legs. Her hands and appropriately large feet are rendered naturalistically, and she is depicted in a kneeling position. A very fine example of Northwest Coast carving. Period: Last quarter 20th century Origin: Salish Size: 49"H x 17'W. Family Owned & Operated Cisco’s Gallery deals in the rare, exceptional, and one-of-a-kind pieces that define the history of America and the Old West. Our pieces range from American Indian to Cowboy Western and include original items of everyday life, commerce, art, and warfare that tamed America’s frontier. Our 14,000 square foot gallery opened in 1996 in beautiful Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Personal Service Cisco’s operates on old fashioned values – honesty and integrity, and all of our items are backed by our money back guarantee. We appreciate the opportunity to earn your business. Whether you desire assistance with a jewelry purchase, choosing a gift, identification, or even selling – we hope to be your trusted source.  Native American, Carving, Totem, Pole, Painted, Cedar, Salish Indian

The Salish basket, circa 1900, is finely woven with a stylized imbricate design, the cover has a cutout star design with central knob, there are minor lo...

A very nice hand carved and painted wood totem pole, circa 1970s. The totem stands and 26" H with a 16.5" wingspan and is in excellent condition for its age...

Pacific Northwest coast carved cedar killer whale rattle, by Coastal Salish - Squamish artist Stan Joseph, signed and dated 2012, a beautiful and deeply carved hollow cedar dance rattle in the form of a Killer Whale, with relief carved eyes and mouth, surface striations, and three human faces on the back and tale, with applied pectoral and dorsal fins. Mounted with simple whittled cradle on cedar block base (signed and dated on bottom of base). Hollow interior rattles with entrapped pebbles. The carving was never polychromed and remains in its original natural finish. Excellent condition. Stan Joseph is a Coastal Salish artist from North Vancouver. He began carving in 1962 at the age of twelve, and also ventured into painting and designing totem poles. In 1972 he carved an 80 foot and other huge poles which sold to Germany. In 1980 he carved a 60-foot pole for Sea Span and another one for the Chief Joe Matthias Centre, as well as the welcome figure on the West Vancouver Pier. Stan is now an outstanding master carver who teaches his craft to the next generation of young artists. Stan is also accomplished at making silver and gold jewelry, and teaches this art at the employment center. Stan has been interested in the spiritual dances of the Coast Salish...

Rare large early Northwest Coast Salish hard burden basket dating from the mid to late 1800's. The basket is finely woven from split cedar bark and root...

A wonderfully detailed and decorated Kachina doll with white fur. Signed by the artist on the base. From a collection of Native American objects and artifacts. Dimensions: 8...

A wonderfully detailed and decorated wolf figure Kachina doll with fur. Signed by the artist on the base. From a collection of Native American objects an...