Description:

Native American, Pacific Northwest, Vancouver to Seattle area, Nuu-chah-nulth (formerly Nootka), signed by Sam Williams (born ca. 1880), ca. early 20th century CE. A rare miniature totem pole, hand-carved from a rich, red-brown wood, signed on the back by Sam Williams. It features a dramatic series of animals: a frog, a human-grasping wolf, and a spread-winged eagle with hooked beak and a fish grasped in its mouth. Smaller carvings of birds, orcas, and human masks decorate the bodies of the creatures depicted. Size: 16.5" W x 19.05" H (41.9 cm x 48.4 cm)

Sam Williams was a talented and prolific carver who designed and created totem poles of all sizes, including one that was over 3 1/2 stories tall that was purchased by Robert Ripley of Ripley's Believe It or Not! Another carving of his was exhibited by Ripley at the New York World's Fair in 1939.

Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection; ex-Ye Olde Curiosity Shop, Seattle, USA

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#146531

  • Condition: A few tiny scratches and light wear commensurate with age, but overall excellent condition. Tiny loss to one side of the animal in the eagle's mouth. Signed on back. Also stamped in two places on the back with "Ye Olde Curiosity Shop, Seattle, USA".

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May 23, 2019 7:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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