Description
A rare mid‑19th century Haida or Tlingit totem pole fragment, carved circa 1850, retaining powerful presence and sculptural integrity despite its age and history.
🪵 Artwork Details
- Artist: Haida or Tlingit carver, unknown
- Date: Circa 1850
- Dimensions: 18″ H × 16″ W × 6″ D
- Material: Old‑growth wood with traces of red and black pigments
- Condition: Deeply weathered patina consistent with long outdoor exposure; strong facial features and formline structure remain clearly visible.
🧩 Description & Iconography
This fragment represents the human head from a once‑large village totem pole. The carving shows classic Haida/Tlingit stylistic traits—broad cheek planes, defined brow line, and a forward‑projecting mouth. The surviving pigments and surface texture speak to its age and original monumental scale.
Fragments of this period are increasingly scarce, especially those with identifiable formline features and original paint remnants.
🏛 Provenance
- Believed to have been collected during the Haida Gwaii totem pole recovery project, a period when many deteriorating poles were removed from abandoned village sites for preservation.
💼 Significance for Collectors
- Authentic 19th‑century monumental pole fragments are highly sought after for their cultural, historical, and sculptural importance.
- This example offers a compelling combination of age, provenance, and visual impact, suitable for advanced collectors, museums, or curated interior spaces.
