Qwa.a gyaa.angaa (model totem pole)

Dateca. 1885

Maker Charles Edenshaw First Nations, Haida, 1839 - 1920

Label TextEdenshaw is known for bringing Haida stories to life through his art, and he often depicted myths of supernatural bears. The bear figures on this pole hold a whale’s tail, clutch an extended tongue and sit atop a stack of hat rings. Sparing no detail although carved for sale, Edenshaw was a master in wood, stone and silver.

Object number91.1.129

Exhibition HistoryCalgary, Alberta, Glenbow Museum, Pipes That Won't Smoke; Coal That Won't Burn, 1981 - 1982. Seattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, The Box of Daylight, Sept. 15, 1983 - Jan. 8, 1984 Seattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, Hauberg Collection - Parsons Gallery, Aug. 22, 1985 - Mar. 16, 1986. Seattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, American Art: The Stories We Carry, Oct. 20, 2022 - ongoing.Published ReferencesThe Spirit Within: Northwest Coast Native Art from the John H. Hauberg Collection, Seattle Art Museum, 1995, pg. 144

Credit LineGift of John H. Hauberg

Dimensions19 x 3 x 2 3/4 in. (48.26 x 7.62 x 6.99 cm)

MediumArgillite