Northwest Coast Haida carved and polychrome totem pole. Depicts a bear and a wolf, flat back retaining its original printed descriptive label by Walter C. Waters, Bear Totem Store, Wrangell, Alaska, on its original black-painted wood base. Label reads "GRAVE TOTEM LEGENDS: This totem represents what is known as a Grave Totem. They were placed on Indian graves, and were carved in many designs of animals, birds, and fish, such as Bear, Frog, Eagle, Wolf, Raven, Whale and Thunderbird. The family history of the person is told by the way the figures are placed on the pole. The totems form the Bear Totem Store are old grave totems from the West Coast of Prince of Wales Island and are the best caved grave totems in Alaska. - Walter C. Waters, Proprietor." Retains an excellent original dry surface. Very good condition.
PERIOD: First Half 20th Century
ORIGIN: Northwest - Haida, Native American