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This well-carved totem pole model was made by a Pacific Northwest Coast Salish member of the Skokomish people. The Skokomish---which means "people of the river"---inhabit the area surrounding the Skokomish River and Hood Canal in Washington state.
This totem pole model is a tourist souvenir or curio from the 1940's that was a source of income and a way to continue practicing Skokomish traditions. Made of red cedar, it's a flatback, with the separately carved, upswept wings set into a carved-out notch on the back rather than nailed on. The wings are not moveable or removeable.
There are three totemic figures: the Thunderbird at the top, atop a bear head over an eagle head. It's decorated with red paint on the front and back of the wings, the eyes of the figures and on the faces carved on each side at the base.
The pole is notched into a double branch of sagebrush for the highly unusual base. Carved into the back are the words "Hood Canal," to indicate the location where it was made. On the bottom of the base are carved the words "Sage Brush."
This totem pole model stands 11 1/4 inches tall, measures 6 inches from wingtip to wingtip, with the base measuring 8 1/2 inches long and about 2 1/2 inches front to back. It weighs 3/4 of a pound and is in excellent condition with no damage or repairs, with just some patches of glue on the bottom of the base, which probably originally had a felt pad attached.
This is an authentic, original First Nations totem pole model, a great addition to a Native American art collection...or the start of one.
★ A bit of history: White traders, in particular J.E. Standley (1854-1940) founder of Ye Olde Curiosity Shop, Seattle, Washington, did a global business in totem poles. They commissioned full-sized poles and souvenir-size poles like this one from local Native American artists.
PYH 5810
This traditional Santa Clara Pueblo jar or olla is blackware, aka black-on-black pottery. Hand coiled, burnished and slip-designed by Robert G. Naranjo (1943-2022), it measures 3 1/2 inches tall, 4 inches across the belly, has a 1 1/2 inch diameter mouth and weighs 9 1/2 ounces. It's signed on the bottom: Robert Naranjo SCP {Santa Clara Pueblo} and dated 99.
The jar has three distinct design bands. The upper one represents the steps to the kiva, the Puebloan chamber used for ceremonies and meetings. The center band is an avanyu, a powerful serpent deity of rain, storms and lightning. This avanyu wraps around the jar with an inset turquoise bead for its eye and a fork of lightning spewing from its mouth. The bottom band encircles the base with waves.
This beautiful small olla is in very good shape with no damage or repairs. It's a wonderful find for those who appreciate fine Pueblo pottery.
✯ Robert G. Naranjo was a prominent Santa Clara Pueblo potter. After serving in the Army in Viet Nam, he worked in the trucking business until he began learning how to make pottery from his mother Mollie Naranjo and his aunt Julia Martinez. Within a few years he was selling beside his aunt at the Santa Fe Indian Market, where he became noted for his beautifully detailed black on black pottery. He earned many ribbons at the Market and multiple awards from the Heard Museum and the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art among others. Born at the Indian Health Service Hospital in Dulce, New Mexico, he passed away at Santa Clara Pueblo.
PYH 5828
This tall, heavy vase was handmade of speckled terracotta clay that is rough to the touch. Areas of the upper half were partially covered in a black glaze that created undulating swirls. The black glaze continues onto the rolled rim and completely covers the inside of the vase. The piece is also decorated with lines of tiny impressed dots like stippling. Turning the vase gives you a different view with each turn.
The vase tapers down to a 3 1/2 inch diameter round base with no foot that is signed in brown script "Rowell." It stands 12 3/4 inches tall, measures about 6 inches across at the midline and has a 3 inch mouth opening. Weighing in at a sturdy 4 1/4 pounds, it's in excellent condition with no cracks, chips, etc. The interesting surfaces and sculptural shape make this vase a real standout.
PYH 5156
This handsome Casas Grandes jar measures 8 1/2 inches tall, 8 inches across the belly and 4 1/2 inches across the mouth. Weighing 2 pounds 5 ounces, it's in excellent condition, with no cracks or chips and just a few paint flakes.
The bottom is fire-darkened, which is the reason that the pot has an equator line, sometimes called the transition line; if the pot was to be placed in the fire for cooking, then the bottom was not painted. The hand painted designs are repeated geometrics in black and red on the smoothed clay, our favorite being the eye with its eyebrow. The interior was partly smoothed but is still rough and obviously handmade.
This beautiful jar is an excellent addition to a collection and a fine decorative piece.
>>>Research sources included the book "The Story of CASAS GRANDES POTTERY" by Rick Cahill, 1991.
PYH 4252