Description
Kwakiutl Totem Pole
Artist: George Nelson Siwas (1884-1969)
Date:1920
Materials: Yellow cedar, red, black and blue paints
Dimensions: 8 ¾”T x 6 ½” wingspan, base 2 ¾” x 2”
Description: A finely carved yellow cedar totem pole by one of the early master Kwakiutl carvers George Nelson.The totem features a finely carved and expertly painted totem featuring a Thunderbird ( Kolus) and bear biting a salmon.
George Nelson also known by his Indian name Siwas was an accomplished Kwakwaka’wakw carver from the remote village of Quatsino sound, British Columbia, perhaps best known for carving the house posts of the Sea Lion House, these posts are now in the collection of the Museum of Anthropology at UBC (MOA A50009 d-f). He was known for making model totem poles and cedar chests, many are now held in major private and public collections, including the aforementioned Museum of Anthropology and the Museum of Vancouver.
