Lot 158
158
A HAIDA ARGILLITE MODEL TOTEM POLE

Details
A HAIDA ARGILLITE MODEL TOTEM POLE
With concave back, finely carved in high relief, from the bottom, a grimacing human figure in a crouched position wearing a labret in lower lip extended to a raven beak with a pair of animal figures in profile below, surmounted by a beaver devouring a male figure with outstretched arms and legs, surmounted by an inverted reclining human figure, surmounted by an inverted raven grasping its beak, surmounted by a bear devouring an inverted human figure, the top a bear in a crouched position, oval base with carved ropework in low relief
41¼in. (104.8cm.) high

Lot Essay

This pole was acquired by Robert Hall who was an employee of the Hudson's Bay Company at Port Simpson between 1877-92. He was in charge of trading throughout all of northern British Columbia and was known for his interest in the native peoples. He had an extensive argillite collection. The pole was purchased from him by William F. Rothwell, a fellow employee and it has been passed down to the present owner by descent.

In a letter of February 26, 1966, Marius Barbeau describes it as "of fine quality," and attributes it to a Skidegate carver.