Tlingit, Haida or Tsimshian (attributed)
House Post Model
Haida, 1866-1932
Scroll
Tlingit, Haida or Tsimshian (attributed)
House Post Model
Haida, 1866-1932
Physical Qualities
Wood, polychrome, 40 3/4 in. (103.5 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Alan Wurtzburger
Object Number
1959.7
Sculptures of this form are designed to fit the support post of a building or to stand freely as a commemorative post (photo). These posts can range from 10 to 120 feet in height. This smaller representation may be a model made for sale. It conforms to Haida style in its bilateral symmetry, two dimensional form, distortion to fit a columnar shape, and use of color. The upper face may represent a human wearing a headdress; the head below, a bear, is an animal often symbolic of a chief.
Field photo:
G. Corbin, Native Arts of North America, Africa, and the South Pacific, 1988
Old catalogue cards indicate ex-collection Bishop McKenzie.
Miquel Covarrubias, "The Eagle, the Jaguar and the Serpent: Indian Art of the Americas," 1954, ill. Plate VIII.
Erwin O. Christensen, "Primitive Art," New York, 1955, p. 86.
F. Dockstader, "Indian Art of the Americas," Museum of the American Indian, New York, p. 198.
"Masterpieces of Indian and Eskimo Art from Canada," Musee de l'homme, Paris, 1969-1970, ill. 47-48.
"Exhibits," "Museum News," February 1983, p. 58.
Erwin O. Christensen, "Primitive Art," New York, 1955, p. 86.
F. Dockstader, "Indian Art of the Americas," Museum of the American Indian, New York, p. 198.
"Masterpieces of Indian and Eskimo Art from Canada," Musee de l'homme, Paris, 1969-1970, ill. 47-48.
"Exhibits," "Museum News," February 1983, p. 58.
Inscribed: None
