272. Modern Cast Display Totem

An unusual and unique totem model, with no provenance or makers mark. Appears to have been cast in some kind of ceramic or plaster, possibly with a resin base. Over 18” high and about 2 kg in weight, it may have been purpose made for a display piece. Originally purchased in plain white finish, the author attempted to add colour detail and highlights over a gold base, but the softness of the detail and the smooth design made it difficult to render anything near satisfactory. A final coating of gloss black in the Boma or Pearlite style makes the figure sufficiently ambiguous to the casual observer, that the lack of authentic style and detail is less obvious.

 

265. OLDE CURIOSITY SHOP TOTEM

Seven inch high resin reproduction of a Tsimshan style totem pole from 'Ye Olde Curiosity Shop' in Seattle, one of the very first vendors of souvenir First Nations materials.

 

263. Boma Watchman Pawn Chesspiece

Part of a chess set designed by Christian M. White in 1997, the Watchman represents the pawn.

Figure is seated and shown wearing the tall hat as befits his status. 6cm high, black resin. The complete set comprises of 16 black figures and 16 white. See also Rook Bear and Raven Queen No. 11 and No 169

 

249. Swityk Raven Totem

 

Compact Raven sculpture, 3" high, black resin with white highlights.

Similar in form to Boma Chesspiece Raven No. 169. See also 222. 161 and 160 for other Swityk of Canada pieces

242. Aalco Double Medium Pole

Unusual dual pole, similar in style to 191. Presumably by Aalco. Amber coloured resin with painted details. 7" high. Taller pole is a separate casting. No TM visible

 Left hand pole is identical to one on 191.

236. Black Resin Thunderbird with Wings

Striking model of Thunderbird with wings opening as if ready to fly. No makers mark, sticker on rear. Slight repair to one ear.4” high

 

235. Miniature Black Thunderbird Totem

 Small black resin piece, no makers marks. Possibly Boma or Pearlite. 2” high See 148. For similarities.

234. Boma Resin Trinket Box

Red resin Trinket Box from Boma. Cast with sea monster motif on the lid and pod of whales circling the outer edge of the box.

The piece is marked 'Boma' in the usual fashion, as part of the casting and has an adhesive label on the base, but also includes a small glyph as part of the design. Artists logo perhaps? Glyph does not appear on most other Boma products and does not look like a first nations style. Glyph can be seen on N0.68 Mustard Bowl, which uses the same design.

 

232. Boma Seal Shaped Grease Bowl

Large 7” long resin cast bowl with ceramic style liner. Made by Boma inTsimshian style.

Representing a seal with flippers and flat tail.

 

231. Boma Resin Feast Bowl with Bear

 Large (6" diameter) Bowl by Boma. Cast in black resin, with sea green interior glaze. 

uter design is a recumbent Bear with clawed forepaws. Above the nose is a vertical section representing a hat with three rings to show the owners high status.

Design is probably modelled after a traditional potlatch or food bowl.

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225. Resin Alaska Totem Pole

 8" high, no makers marks. Thunderbird headed, with stylised creatures below. Beneath Thunderbird, the figures are almost cartoonish and the first seems to have a snake around the neck, leading to a man holding a fish, a bird and an owl like figure on the base.

223. Silver Spoons with Resin Models

Silver Souvenir spoons, marked 'Lovesick Lake, Canada' and 'Prince Rupert B.C'

No visible hallmarking or TM.

Metal spoons with black resin model of Beaver and Wolf heads.

 See also No.19 Ornamental Spoons for further modelling

219. Small Acrylic Painted Totem

3" high acrylic composite totem. Hand painted with no TM. Marked 'Canada' on front. 

Same style/maker as No.29

196. Boma Raven Dish

Boma Resin dish made in the Tsimshian style. Spoon came separately See no. 68. and .19

Marked 'Tofino B.C Canada'

Style based on traditional ceremonial ware and ornamental dance rattles. See 200.

 

193. Black Pearlite Eagle Totem

Black Pearlite model crowned with an Eagle with wings outspread. Model appears to be the inspiration for the slightly cruder and more garish No. 73

Note the slight curve to the pose of the Eagle, this feature is more exagerrated on No.73 and I assumed it to be a moulding error.

192. Boma Black Resin Raven

Seven inch approx. Standard black resin, broken and repaired at some point. The break occurred just below the Wasco or Sea Wolf's pectoral fins and has not been attached straight. I am debating whether to try and separate it and re-set.

 

Good rendition of Raven on the top, with Sea Wolf and Beaver below.

 

191. Aalco Double Totem

Amber coloured resin totem made by Aalco of Vancouver. Unique design featuring two separate poles on a dedicated stand. 

The smaller totem seems to show a wolf or possibly a bear, supporting a killer whale, topped by an Eagle. The larger one echoes the base design, the lower figure seems to have more pronounced ursine features - such as long claws - with a mans face above supporting a Thunderbird with wings outstretched.

The resin and paint style is reminiscent of Pearlite designs No.s 86-89