Description:

Frederick Alexcee (Wiksamnen) (1853-1940s), Tsimshian

MODEL TOTEM POLE



Estimate: $700—900 CAD

  • Provenance: Private Collection, Victoria, BC
  • Dimensions: 12 x 8 x 3.5 in — 30.5 x 20.3 x 8.9 cm
  • Medium: wood, paint, steel nails
  • Notes: Born and raised in Lax Kwʼalaams (Port Simpson), British Columbia, Frederick Alexcee was the son of Tsimshian mother, and Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) father who was employed with the Hudson’s Bay Company. Alexcee carved important ritual objects for use in his Tsimshian community, but also created model poles, canoes, ladles, and paddles for sale, in addition to painting portraits, and highly descriptive paintings illustrating both ceremonial and everyday life on the Coast. Notably two of Alexcee’s paintings were included in an exhibition at the National Gallery of Canada as early as 1927 where they were exhibited alongside, among others, works by Paul Kane, Emily Carr, Lawren Harris, Edwin Holgate, and A.Y. Jackson.[1]

    The configuration of the present work is reminiscent of Kwakwaka'wakw poles at Alert Bay and Gwa’yasdams (Gildford Island). The latter pole carved by Kwakwaka'wakw artist Mungo Martin, was also depicted by Emily Carr in her 1912 painting “Old Indian House” (Vancouver Art Gallery 42.3.51a).

    [1] Leah Snyder, Fort Simpson: the historical work of Frederick Alexcee, The National Gallery of Canada, accessed 27 Aug 2024, https://www.gallery.ca/magazine/your-collection/fort-simpson-the-historical-work-of-frederick-alexcee

    Further Reading:
    https://www.waddingtons.ca/art-of-the-model-totem-pole/
  • Condition: Please contact the specialist for further condition information.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

The Auctioneers will not undertake packing or shipping. The purchaser
must designate and arrange for the services of an independent shipper
and be responsible for all shipping and insurance expenses. The
Auctioneers will, upon request, provide names of professional packers and
shippers but will not be held responsible for the service or have any liability
for providing this information. Reliable pre-auction estimates of shipping
costs of lots offered in this sale may be obtained from:
Pak Mail
Attn: Taurus Chan
4981 Hwy 7 East, Unit 12A, Markham, ON L3R 1N1
Tel: 905.470.6874; 416.293.8225
Fax: 905.470.6875
[email protected]
www.pakmailmarkham.ca

Permits may be required for international shipments due to export restrictions on endangered species.

12 September 2024 14:00 EDT
Toronto, ON, CA

Waddington's

You agree to pay a buyer’s premium, as outlined below, and any applicable taxes and shipping.
Buyer's Premium
$0 - $25,000:
25.00%
$25,001+:
22.00%

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
CA$0 CA$199 CA$10
CA$200 CA$499 CA$20
CA$500 CA$999 CA$50
CA$1,000 CA$1,999 CA$100
CA$2,000 CA$4,999 CA$200
CA$5,000 CA$9,999 CA$500
CA$10,000 CA$19,999 CA$1,000
CA$20,000 CA$49,999 CA$2,000
CA$50,000 CA$99,999 CA$5,000
CA$100,000 CA$299,999 CA$10,000
CA$300,000 CA$999,999 CA$25,000
CA$1,000,000 CA$1,999,999 CA$50,000
CA$2,000,000 CA$2,999,999 CA$100,000
CA$3,000,000 CA$4,999,999 CA$200,000
CA$5,000,000 + CA$300,000