This well-carved totem pole model was made by a Pacific Northwest Coast Salish member of the Skokomish people. The Skokomish---which means "people of the river"---inhabit the area surrounding the Skokomish River and Hood Canal in Washington state.

This totem pole model is a tourist souvenir or curio from the 1940's that was a source of income and a way to continue practicing Skokomish traditions. Made of red cedar, it's a flatback, with the separately carved, upswept wings set into a carved-out notch on the back rather than nailed on. The wings are not moveable or removeable.

There are three totemic figures: the Thunderbird at the top, atop a bear head over an eagle head. It's decorated with red paint on the front and back of the wings, the eyes of the figures and on the faces carved on each side at the base.

The pole is notched into a double branch of sagebrush for the highly unusual base. Carved into the back are the words "Hood Canal," to indicate the location where it was made. On the bottom of the base are carved the words "Sage Brush."

This totem pole model stands 11 1/4 inches tall, measures 6 inches from wingtip to wingtip, with the base measuring 8 1/2 inches long and about 2 1/2 inches front to back. It weighs 3/4 of a pound and is in excellent condition with no damage or repairs, with just some patches of glue on the bottom of the base, which probably originally had a felt pad attached.

This is an authentic, original First Nations totem pole model, a great addition to a Native American art collection...or the start of one.

★ A bit of history: White traders, in particular J.E. Standley (1854-1940) founder of Ye Olde Curiosity Shop, Seattle, Washington, did a global business in totem poles. They commissioned full-sized poles and souvenir-size poles like this one from local Native American artists.

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