|
 |
Kwakwaka’wakw
(Gusgimaxw)
House Post, ca 1870
This pole was raised around 1870 and used to support the central
roof beam of a bighouse in the Gusgimaxw village of Xwatis
in Quatsino Sound. By 1913, when it was acquired by Charles F. Newcombe,
the house was derelict and the pole was missing its beak and wings.
Subsequently, a new beak and wings were added but these did not match
the style of the pole. Before being transferred to Thunderbird Park
in 1941, the pole stood in the grounds of Government House in Victoria
for many years. In Thunderbird Park it supported the central roof
beam of a pseudo-Northwest Coast house that combined elements of
Haida, Nuu-chah-nulth, Salish and
Kwakwaka’wakw
styles in a single structure.
RBCM 1854 a-c. |
 Image:
Thunderbird Park, ca 1945. BC Government photograph. Photo Branch 3404.
|
Huxwhukw, the Cannibal Bird, a companion
of Baxwbakwalanuxwsiwe’,
the Cannibal-at-the-North-End-of-the-World. This crest was obtained
by the owner through marriage to a Kingcome Inlet woman. |
| K´umugwe, Chief of the Sea, who lives in
a wealth-filled house under the water that is guarded by sea lions. |
| Grizzly Bear with a Copper in its mouth, eating or breaking the
Copper. When a chief ceremonially broke a Copper, he demonstrated
his wealth and power over rival chiefs and increased the value of
the Copper. |
| Whale, with the Grizzly Bear’s paw in its mouth.
The Grizzly Bear appears to carry the Whale. |
 Xwatis, 1904. Charles F. Newcombe photograph. RBCM
PN 335.
|
 Thunderbird
Park. RBCM PN 13233.
|
 Thunderbird
Park. RBCM PN 13233.
|
 Thunderbird Park. RBCM PN 13233. |
 Thunderbird Park. RBCM PN 13233. |
 Thunderbird
Park, 1945. Boucher photograph.
BC Archives I-20537.
|
|
