Coast Salish thunderbird and bear nodel totem pole by Marlin Alphonse. Marlin Alphonse is a Seattle-based Coast Salish artist who learned to carve from his relative, Gary Rice. Alphonse’s carving and painting style are very similar to Rice’s, particularly in the depth of his carving and color palette. This pole features a thunderbird over a bear holding a salmon. Alphonse’s signature is deeply carved into the verso along with a note stating that it was “purchased by Brad and Hazel Ritter on board Royal Princess, Sitka, Alaska 1986.” 13"H x 12"W x 3 1/2"D
PERIOD: Late 20th Century
ORIGIN: Plateau - Salish, Native American
SIZE: 13"H x 12"W x 3 1/2"D