Totem Pole Artist Art Appraisal

Carved Wooden Totem Pole (Decorative)

This is a tall, carved wooden totem pole, likely a decorative piece rather than a traditional ceremonial pole due to its indoor placement and apparent scale. The pole appears to be carved from a single piece or multiple pieces of wood joined seamlessly, stained or painted a medium brown. It exhibits a series of stacked, stylized figures, which is characteristic of Northwest Coast Native American art, particularly that of the Alaskan region given the context. The uppermost figure is a bird, possibly an eagle or raven, identifiable by its prominent beak (painted pink) and large, alert eyes with white eyeballs and black pupils outlined in blue. This figure also features outstretched wings carved from the same piece of wood as the body, with each feather individually delineated and painted brown with blue and light blue tips and white details, creating a scalloped edge. Below the bird is another anthropomorphic or zoomorphic face with similar eye treatment and an open mouth. Further down, there are additional carved elements, including what appears to be a beaver with a cross-hatched tail pattern (painted yellow) and a fish or aquatic creature with an open mouth and visible teeth, also with large, expressive eyes. The entire pole shows textural carving marks, suggesting hand craftsmanship. The surface generally appears in good condition with a matte or satin finish, showing some minor wear consistent with handling and display. There are no obvious signs of significant damage, repairs, or widespread paint loss. The quality of carving suggests a skilled artisan, although the exact maker's marks or signatures are not visible in the provided images. The piece exhibits a folk art or souvenir quality, likely from the mid to late 20th century, designed to emulate the traditional art form.