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ITEM NUMBER: AM0909
Nuu-Chah-Nulth/Ditidaht Totem by John T. Williams
$3,500
Description
Details
Dimensions
Nuu-chah-Nulth carved and painted totem pole by the Famous 7th Generation Master Carver John T. Williams of Seattle, WA. (1960-2010). Signed on back. 20"H with base, 18"W
John T. Williams was a gifted Ditidaht carver from the famous model pole carving Williams family of Seattle. Long associated with the Ye Olde Curiosity Shop (YOCS), John was from the third generation of carvers to work with YOCS after his grandfather, Sam Williams (c. 1884-1979), uncle, Wilson Williams (1908-1965), and father, Raymond Williams (1933-1988). John’s work has been noted for most resembling his father’s, and this pole really reflects that family connection.
The deep cuts outlining the design forms and red, green, black, and white paint palette recall some of Raymond’s most iconic mid-century work. Over the last 125 years, the Williams family have developed a unique carving and painting style that blends Northern imagery into customary Nuu-chah-nulth and Ditidaht design elements. It also blends idiosyncratic forms such as the prominent white teeth and flamboyant paint combinations that were their own innovations.
This larger model pole features, from the top: three Watchmen, a Killer Whale, a Thunderbird with what looks like a frontal facing Killer Whale flanked by Serpents on its chest, a Wolverine, [1] a Sea Lion standing up on its flippers, and a transverse Killer Whale on the bottom. The pole is mounted on a chamfered double base.
There is a paper label on the back of the pole, most likely from the Ye Olde Curiosity Shop, that reads: "The top figure is the Thunderbird. The Medicine Men and Natives of the Northern Tribes believe that he is a powerful God, under whose protection comes brotherhood, peace and plenty. He is the Sagilie Tyee (Creator God) and when he flaps his wings and blinks his eyes, it rains and storms; thus the evil spirits are driven to the lonely high mountain ranges. Bottom figure is Chet-Woot the Bear who is respected by all Indians for his strength and cunning." These paper labels were routinely placed on the backs of poles regardless of specific imagery, but it does serve to confirm its YOCS provenance.
Tragically, John T Williams was killed by a police officer in Seattle while walking down the street, carving a model totem pole. There is a monumental memorial pole raised in his honor by his family at the Seattle Center.
1. This squat, toothed quadruped has been identified as a Wolverine on other Williams family totem poles where the figures are noted on the back.
John T. Williams was a gifted Ditidaht carver from the famous model pole carving Williams family of Seattle. Long associated with the Ye Olde Curiosity Shop (YOCS), John was from the third generation of carvers to work with YOCS after his grandfather, Sam Williams (c. 1884-1979), uncle, Wilson Williams (1908-1965), and father, Raymond Williams (1933-1988). John’s work has been noted for most resembling his father’s, and this pole really reflects that family connection.
The deep cuts outlining the design forms and red, green, black, and white paint palette recall some of Raymond’s most iconic mid-century work. Over the last 125 years, the Williams family have developed a unique carving and painting style that blends Northern imagery into customary Nuu-chah-nulth and Ditidaht design elements. It also blends idiosyncratic forms such as the prominent white teeth and flamboyant paint combinations that were their own innovations.
This larger model pole features, from the top: three Watchmen, a Killer Whale, a Thunderbird with what looks like a frontal facing Killer Whale flanked by Serpents on its chest, a Wolverine, [1] a Sea Lion standing up on its flippers, and a transverse Killer Whale on the bottom. The pole is mounted on a chamfered double base.
There is a paper label on the back of the pole, most likely from the Ye Olde Curiosity Shop, that reads: "The top figure is the Thunderbird. The Medicine Men and Natives of the Northern Tribes believe that he is a powerful God, under whose protection comes brotherhood, peace and plenty. He is the Sagilie Tyee (Creator God) and when he flaps his wings and blinks his eyes, it rains and storms; thus the evil spirits are driven to the lonely high mountain ranges. Bottom figure is Chet-Woot the Bear who is respected by all Indians for his strength and cunning." These paper labels were routinely placed on the backs of poles regardless of specific imagery, but it does serve to confirm its YOCS provenance.
Tragically, John T Williams was killed by a police officer in Seattle while walking down the street, carving a model totem pole. There is a monumental memorial pole raised in his honor by his family at the Seattle Center.
1. This squat, toothed quadruped has been identified as a Wolverine on other Williams family totem poles where the figures are noted on the back.
PERIOD: Late 20th CenturyORIGIN: Northwest Coast - Nuu-chah-Nulth, Native American
SIZE: 20"H with base, 18"W
