SHADOWS OF THE THUNDERBIRD: WOOD

Showing posts with label WOOD. Show all posts

221. Small Ironwood Totem

Four inches high, hand carved from Ironwood or Mahogany. Simple, crude styling, three piece construction. No polish evident.

From the same maker as No 215 (Right) and No 34 (Left).

Model shown photographed in infra red light, showing the figuring and detail in the wood.

136. Large Carved Wooden Eagle

2' high with 2.5' wingspan. At least 25 years old, hand carved frim 4 pieces of timber. No makers mark and No.49 written on base.

216. Bentwood Cedar Salmon Box

6" tall bentwood box. Solid cedar lid with hand painted depiction of a salmon around sides.

Signed in pencil on base "Salmon" and 'JNM' (?) James Michels ?

199. Vic Yeoda Wooden Totem 'Raven's Deal'

Alaska Black Diamond. Six inch hand carved and painted cedar model Representing two ravens, with the face of a shaman on the chest of the upper figure. Made in Alaska sticker and signed 'Vic Yeoda' See number 179. Entitled 'Raven's Deal'

RAVENS DEAL

Two Ravens appeared before the tribal council to discuss the lack of salmon in the streams. The wise men suspected that one of the Ravens was different

This Raven was actually a Shaman, who had transformed himself into his bird form to find out where the Ravens had hidden the salmon from the streams.

Ravens enjoyed playing tricks on the humans, but this time the old Shaman was smart. He flew with Raven this spring morning, watching him divert the salmon away from the streams, back to sea. A mischievous deed he had made with the Killer Whales so they could have more than their share of fish to eat.

That same night, as Raven's eyes became heavy with sleep, the Shaman turned himself back into his Raven form and flew back over the open ocean to cast a spell on the salmon, making them swim back to the streams, double crossing the deal the Trickster Raven had made with the Killer Whales.

To this day, each spring and fall, the Raven and the Shaman play this game. That is why the salmon return to the streams and this why Ravens do not land on the salt water, where Killer Whale awaits him.

Model in infra red light

115. Medium Boma Resin Plaque

Medium Boma relief plaque, 9" high wooden base with resin sculpt. paper label on rear

109. Medium ‘Eagle Boy’ Patrick Seale totem

Entitled 'Eagle Boy'

Colourful handfcrafted wooden totem, 8" Signed Patrick Seale - made in Alaska label

EAGLE BOY

During the cool summer evenings, the chief's nephew would go down the narrow piece of land, jetting out into the ocean, to feed eagles. The other villagers called him lazy when he went off to gaze at the skies rather than help dry salmon for the approaching winter. Only his grandmother believed in her heart that he would prove himself one day.

When the village became short of food, the uncle decided to move everyone, except his nephew, to the Euchlegan Rivers further north.

The nephew, now lonely and without food, watched as an eagle flew out to the spit. As he watched, the eagle released his tight hold on a salmon.

He stumbled on rocks as he quickened his pace to get to the food. The nephew burst with joy when more eagles came with offerings for him.

Meanwhile, the uncle did not fare well. There were no Euchlegan in the rivers.

As they returned to the nephew they all noticed his strength from being well fed. He offered food to them. In return they gladly offered their wealth to him. He became a much respected man in the village which filled his grandmother with much happiness.

108. Large Decorative Patrick Seale 'Fog Woman' totem

Wooden handcrafted 12" Fog Woman myth totem - signed Patrick Seale Made in Alaska label

The Legend of Fog Woman
Raven and his two men were fishing in a canoe. They had traveled further out in the water than they had ever gone before. Soon they were engulfed by a dense fog. The fog was so dense that the trio lost their balance and did not know where they were. Suddenly, on the bow of the canoe appeared a beautiful woman. “I will show you the way to my village and to safety.” sh said, Of course, Raven and the men followed her. After a short time, Raven fell in love with Fog Woman, and they ere married. They were very happy until a food shortage befell the village. Everyone was short of food except Fog Woman, who always had plenty of salmon in her cooking pot. Being a very curious creature, Raven follows Fog Woman to the creek. There he witnesses her swirl, her fingers in the water and out jump beautiful salmon. He asks how she makes this happen, but she won’t tell him. Raven grumbles and returns to the village. Again, Raven asks how she produces the salmon. She refuses to tell him. This time Raven says, “If you won’t tell me, then be gone!” At this she turns into Fog and rolls out to sea calling, “I will come to you only as Fog, but I will return salmon to the streams each year so you and the village will have plenty of food.”
That is how we get Salmon and Fog today.

70. Sea Wolf

Wooden Sea Wolf - Killer Whale - handmade by author based on sketch by Frank Boas

Frank Boas 'Primitive Art'

37. J.Mountain Hand Carved Wooden Totem

12" dark wood hand carved totem, 3 piece. Wing repaired. Signed 'J.Mountain, Alert Bay, B.C'

35. Shandley Williams Hand Carved Wooden Totem

Wooden totem, 12" high. Hand carved, signed 'Shandley Williams'.

34. Hand Carved Ironwood Totem

Splendid solid ironwood/mahogany carved totem, 3 piece, not signed. 8" tall

Model shown under infra red light, showing wood figuring and carved detail

10. Gordon Twance Wooden Thunderbird Plaque

Small Thunderbird plaque, 8.5" high, hard wood stained. Inscribed with 'Thunderbird Gordon Twance, Surrey, B.C Canada' Also paper label 'Thunderbird Gordon Twance Kwakiutl'