Featured Jimmy John Totem Pole

I hit an amazing garage sale yesterday while on vacation.

This 12" / 30cm totem pole was only $2!

It's clearly signed Jimmy John on the back. Info about him found here on a previous Antiquers thread:

https://www.antiquers.com/threads/another-nw-totem.72597/

I think the middle form especially is unusual, as he (otter?) is upside down.

Any comments will be appreciated. Thanks.

 

..
@all_fakes ...

That's a tough one to read unless you've seen many of his totems.

The way I see it...

Eagle on top
Killer Whale .... or Sea Wolf , w/ human face in the curled back tail.
( the wolf and orca were known in legend to transform into one another , and the flippers on the sides , not being feet or paws , seem to suggest this here.) The divot on the head would suggest an Orcas blow hole.
Sea Bear. As above , the curled back tail and side flippers , suggest a marine mammal.
All sitting on the Box of Daylight , that's sitting on a Frog.
The Frog is widely used as the bottom creature , for its stability, and duality as an animal who lives on land , and in the water. ! Ever seen a frog , trip ?? ..

That's a lot of work for a 12 inch pole , in mint condition , from a well respected master artist !!

Great find !!!!!!!!

( I'd have snapped that up so fast, the Flash would not have seen me do it !!)

 

on , occasion.... creatures can be carved upside down......

( didn't take the bots long to grab that totem...
)

 

Thanks Komo for the detailed analysis! I always appreciate your expertise.

I did recognize the box of light in the bottom, so I'm getting somewhere!

I got quite a few things at this epic garage sale--- for a grand total of $15! But, as you noted, this totem pole was the very first thing I saw and I made a straight line to it. Great find!

 

That's a nice totem. The one you referenced from a few years ago is mine - I've attributed it to Leslie John. Similarities in style to his brother for sure. Love the crisp edges.