CARVED WOOD TOTEM
possibly American Haida (Kaigani) second half of the 19th century
 
unpainted wood totem, the back hollowed out, inscribed on back 
"384/137112 Alaska Bought by Mother 1897", with Sotheby's tag 
from sale November 8, 1977 described as "Tlingit wood totem, 
unpainted, in the form of a seated bear surmounted on the figure of 'the strong man of the sea' standing atop a fish with the fins to either side, the figure naturalistically portrayed with strongly pronounced facial features, wearing a clow crown-like headdress".
 
Provenance: Nuytten Collection (3107); Sotheby's November 8, 1977 lot 38
Size in inches: 26.25 h x 4.5 w x 3.75 d
 
ZP20830