SHADOWS OF THE THUNDERBIRD

197. Nabisco Shredded Wheat 'Rin Tin Tin' Premium Totems

Corporal Boone and The Chief Shakes Totem Pole

Chief Cochise and the Beaver and Oyster Totem Pole

Major Swanson and the Sun and Raven Totem Pole

A set of 8 press out and foldable celluloid like plastic cereal premiums from circa 1958. Tying in with the Rin Tin Tin Television show and regular characters. Poles are roughly based on actual historic monumental structures.

See 224 for Rip Masters totem

Sun and Raven Pole - Saxman Park

Haida Mortuary Pole Skidegate

One Legged Fisherman Pole

Chief Shakes Eldest Son Totem

Beaver and Oyster Totem Pole

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.

195. Minute Ceramic Totem Pole

Tiny 1" hand painted ceramic model of Thunderbird totem, similar in style to pole on trinket box (193.) which was purchased at same time.

Pole is very reminiscent of the Patrick Seale style models see 109/108.

194. Ceramic Totem Trinket Box

Unusual ceramic trinket box with totem pole on lid. Bought as a pair with matching Grizzly Bear box and tiny ceramic totem.

Bases have stickers with Crown symbol and 'D.N & E.I' Front has vinyl 'Alaska' sticker

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

190. Wooden Indian Craft Totem

Wooden craft piece for tourist industry. 4" high, hand painted with simple details. Similar in style and probably from the same range as No162.

189. Wooden Victoria Totem

Unusual wooden totem model, hand painted. Wooden base and what seems to be a dense wood totem, depicting bears and thunderbird. The topmost animal holds a salmon in its paws. Unmarked, but a small label sits on the front, slightly overpainted 'Victoria, Canada'

Compare no 116, for coloration, also marked 'Victoria'

188. Chief White Eagle Wooden Thunderbird

8" High hand carved cedar. Chief White Eagle (Basil F Heath) was a film actor alongside John Wayne and sold totem poles to tourists as a sideline. Heath starred in 'Northwest Passage', 'Red River' and 'She Wore a Yellow Ribbon'.

187. Red Ceramic Shaman Figure

Very unusual hand painted ceramic piece, depicting a seated figure holding a large fish. Figures mouth is open as if in song. On his head is a tall hat with potlatch rings and an eagle sat on its crest. A second face graces the eagles chest. No makers marks.

Figure seems to be wearing animal skin shirt and leggings.