Featured Cedar Totem Pole

I recently found this in Dallas, Texas, on a brief get-away vacation.

It measures 12.5" / 31.5cm tall. The bottom seems to say 'Alfonso ...x.. G.' But I can't find any carver by that name.

I'd love to get anyone's opinions on the name, origin, and stylistic quirks, especially from my esteemed friends @komokwa, @all_fakes, and @2manybooks.

Thanks in advance.

 

Well........ it's out of Alaska..
Mid grade tourist item..
the basic shape is very loosely based on the Chief Shakes pole....




...which was a mainstay for tourist shop carvings of model poles since it was raised in 1895....

I'd guesstimate .... 1940 to 1950.... as a lot of US military in Alaska at that time drove the market...... and artists of this caliber were banging them out to help put food on the table... without addressing the proper form line designs to go with the crest figures .

 

The marking "U.S.L.D." often refers to the United States Lighthouse Depot or related administrative markings on government property or commemorative items from that era. In the context of Northwest Coast art, this could indicate a specific historical provenance or a souvenir marking associated with coastal heritage sites near the U.S.-Canada border.

This needs more research......to confirm..

 

don't bother looking for the artist , who at best was a competent journeyman carver , but I highly doubt he excelled beyond that...... if this work is any indication !

 

Thanks so much buddy!

 

USID ...
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-25/chapter-II/part-310/subject-group-ECFR506ec9db5c3bd6d

 

I'd agree with Komo, mostly; certainly based on the Chief Shakes pole. The stamped lettering U.S.I.D. was indeed one of the markings approved by the Indian Arts and Crafts Board (as indicated in Roaring 20s link) but not sure at what time period that was commonly used. But certified "Indian" made; some of the forms are good in terms of technical correctness, others not so much, but certainly of the period; my guess might be more 1950-1960.
The name on the bottom could just be the name of a previous owner; one does see that kind of thing surprisingly often.
It is a nice find.

 

& thus the further research needed..........specially cuz I read the I as an L !!!
.....

 

mostly....... Mostly............ Harrumph !!!!

 

well, almost totally....
The figures on Chief Shake's totem, also called the Raven totem, refer to a creation story and Raven's bringing of light to the world. Several aspects of Raven: Raven the Creator at the top, wearing a chief's hat; the chief's box from which Raven stole daylight; then Raven, the creator of man. Below a young raven is the mother of the young Creator. (according to some interpretations).

 

Indeed ......... my term ' loosely ' ..... was not accurate.... as it is that pole !

but....the bottom figure.... here , is a bear ..

 

I see:
(M) U. S. I. D.
Alaskan Indian

The period after the "I" makes it appear like an "L".

 

That.... and USLD , is in fact a thing....

but , I was mistaken !

 

Thanks for the help friends! I really appreciate it.