Tlingit Chief Shakes Totem by John Michael

Tlingit Chief Shakes totem pole by John Michael (1875-1942) Nugget Shop, circa 1930. John Michael was one of several Sitka-based Tlingit carvers in the early 20th century who helped to define the distinctive “Sitka Style” of model totem poles. Characterized by bold black and red paints, large heads with broad muzzles for mouths, and well-defined arms and legs, Michael’s model poles stood out even among his Sitka peers. Michael was also consistent in the rendering of his birds’ wings, which always featured a black oval and curved red bar at the top of the wing and three vertical slats in alternating red and black paints forming the rest of the wing. This pole is carved in yellow cedar and is fully painted with v-cuts outlining the details. It is a model of the Chief Shakes Raven Pole of Wrangell, Alaska, and features, from the top: Grandfather Raven with Woven Hat, Box of Daylight, Mother Raven and Raven Child in Human Form, Raven, and Human, mounted on a chamfered base. The pole dates to the 1930s and was sold through the historic Nugget Shop curio store of Juneau, Alaska, as indicated by the period correct Nugget Shop stamp and two stamps stating “Guaranteed Indian Made” on the verso. 13"H