Description:

Jack James (1902-1980), Kwakwaka'wakw

K'WE FLOOD STORY MODEL TOTEM POLE, CA. 1940

signed verso "Jack James / Gildford Isl. / B.C."

Estimate: $4,000—5,000 CAD

  • Provenance: Private Collection, Toronto, ON
  • Dimensions: 16 x 11 x 4.75 in — 40.6 x 27.9 x 12.1 cm
  • Medium: wood, paint
  • Notes:

    An important Kwakwaka'wakw artist from Gwa'yasdams (Gilford Island), and father of artist Basil James (Haeklas) (1938-2005), Jack James is known to have produced only a few model totem poles over his life.[1] A Jack James pole, dated ca. 1940 is included in the Michael D. Hall and Pat Glascock’s text documenting the landmark 2010 exhibit “Carvings and Commerce: Model Totem Poles 1880–2010.”[2] The pole included in the text exhibits a related theme to the present example, that however deviates in several minor aspects, including in its inclusion of a bear, and in its use of a less sculpturally developed Killer Whale in its composition.

    The role of model totem poles in sustaining traditional knowledge, and Indigenous identities in the early 20th century is increasingly being recognized by scholars and collectors. The stories which makers personally associated with imagery on their model poles, is however rarely documented in words from the artists' themselves. Notably James' description of one of his own poles was recorded in a conversation with his son Basil James toward the latter part of the artist’s life.

    James said of the symbols on one of his poles “they are all ours, our own (James family). We didn’t copy anybody’s”, further explaining that “Kwankwanxwalige’ (Thunderbird) is on top of the pole. He came down from Mount Stephens, right after the flood. There was a little village there, we called it K’we. He took his Thunderbird dress off and he acted like a man. On the chest of this Thunderbird is a giant, a Dzunuk’wa (Wild Woman of the Woods). On the bottom of the pole is the Max’inuxw (Killer Whale) and on his fin is the Luwagila (Raven). The Killer Whales, they save a lot of men, they take them ashore.”[3]

    [1] Michael D. Hall, Pat Glascock, Carvings and Commerce: Model Totem Poles 1880-2010, (Seattle: University of Washington Press, 2011), 209.
    [2] Michael D. Hall, Pat Glascock, Carvings and Commerce: Model Totem Poles 1880-2010, (Seattle: University of Washington Press, 2011), 128, pl. 107.
    [3] The Gwa’yasdams Flood Story, Duncan.ca, Accessed 27 Aug 2024, https://duncan.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/CoD_Totem_17_The-Gwayasdams-Flood-Story.pdf

    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:

PICK UP & SHIPPING FROM TORONTO:

When contacting the shippers please have your invoice # and item information ready.

PakShip
Attn: Taurus Chan
Tel: 905.470.6874
416.293.8225
Fax: 905.470.6875
[email protected]
www.pakship.ca

Safer Shipping
Attn: Perry Hehn
Tel: 416.299.3367
Fax: 416.299.9750
[email protected]
www.safershipping.ca

PICK UP & SHIPPING FROM VANCOUVER:

Please note that lots in our Waddington's West auctions are located in Vancouver, B.C. When contacting the shippers please have your invoice # and item information ready.

The UPS Store 424
Tel: 604-559-5446
[email protected]

PakMail
Tel: 604-472-6245
[email protected]
www.pakmailcanada.com

CITES WARNING:
Restrictions exist regarding the import and export of species protected under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species). This includes but is not limited to items made of or containing bone (whalebone etc.), ivory, tortoise shell, seal skin, rhinoceros horn and any other animal part and is strictly controlled or forbidden by most countries. Please review your country's laws before bidding on pieces made of or containing these restricted items. It is the sole responsibility of the buyer to inquire about and obtain the proper permits for artwork purchased that may contain restricted materials, if such permit can be obtained. Please contact the department for further assistance. For more information please visit www.cites.org

September 12, 2024 2:00 PM 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