Featured Cedar Totem Pole

Discussion in 'Tribal Art' started by Potteryplease, Apr 21, 2026 at 11:00 PM.

  1. Potteryplease

    Potteryplease Well-Known Member

    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.

    IMG_6403.jpeg IMG_6404.jpeg IMG_6405.jpeg IMG_6406.jpeg IMG_6407.jpeg IMG_6408.jpeg IMG_6409.jpeg IMG_6410.jpeg IMG_6411.jpeg IMG_6412.jpeg
     
  2. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

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


    [​IMG]

    ...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 .
     
    Last edited: Apr 22, 2026 at 1:49 AM
  3. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    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..
     
  4. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    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 !
     
  5. Potteryplease

    Potteryplease Well-Known Member

  6. Roaring20s

    Roaring20s Well-Known Member

  7. all_fakes

    all_fakes Well-Known Member

    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.
     
  8. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

  9. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    mostly....... Mostly............ Harrumph !!!!:playful::playful::playful::playful::p
     
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  10. all_fakes

    all_fakes Well-Known Member

    well, almost totally....:angelic:
    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).
     
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  11. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

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

    but....the bottom figure.... here , is a bear ..:confused:
     
    Potteryplease likes this.
  12. bluumz

    bluumz Quite Busy

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

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

    Screenshot 2026-04-22 at 3.28.22 PM.png
     
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  13. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

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

    but , I was mistaken !:jawdrop::(:(
     
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  14. Potteryplease

    Potteryplease Well-Known Member

    Thanks for the help friends! I really appreciate it.
     
    bluumz and komokwa like this.
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