DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.42067#0260
232
Art of the North Pacific Coast of North America
The sculpin on the totem pole (fig. 236) is treated in the same
manner, but in this case the cut is made along the lower side of
the animal. The head is turned upward, so that the front view of
the face is seen when looking down upon the back of the fish. The
spines rise over nose and eyebrows. The pectoral
fins are shown over the eyebrows on the edge
of the carved portion of the pole, while the hind
portion of the lower part of the body occupies
the upper part of the margin of the pole.
The exceedingly intricate central figure on the
pole shown in fig. 237 must be explained in the
same manner as fig. 235. We see here the sea-
monster described before in fig. 183. It has a
bear’s head. In each ear is placed a small human
figure the hands of which grasp the eyelid of the
monster, which they are lifting. The tail (c) is turned
upward in front of the body, immediately over a
beaver’s head which is the next lower figure on
the column. The dorsal fin (a) has been split, and
one-half of it is seen under the mouth of the bear,
indicated by a projection which is decorated with
a double circle. The fore paws of the animal (d)
are raised in front of its chest, and appear under
the mouth. The fins which are attached to them (b)
are shown to the right and to the left of the
tail. The animal is swallowing another being, but
it is not clear what animal is meant. A fish-tail
and a hand are seen protruding from the mouth.
The space between the fore paws and the tail of
the sea-monster is occupied by an inverted bird,
which will be seen clearly when the figure is reversed. Its head is
shown with beak resting between the feet. The two wings (e) are ex-
tended, and reach from the fins of the fore arm of the monster to its
dorsal fin. The particular point brought out by this figure is the same as
Fig. 237. Model of totem
pole representing a
sea-monster devour-
' ing a fish, Haida.
Art of the North Pacific Coast of North America
The sculpin on the totem pole (fig. 236) is treated in the same
manner, but in this case the cut is made along the lower side of
the animal. The head is turned upward, so that the front view of
the face is seen when looking down upon the back of the fish. The
spines rise over nose and eyebrows. The pectoral
fins are shown over the eyebrows on the edge
of the carved portion of the pole, while the hind
portion of the lower part of the body occupies
the upper part of the margin of the pole.
The exceedingly intricate central figure on the
pole shown in fig. 237 must be explained in the
same manner as fig. 235. We see here the sea-
monster described before in fig. 183. It has a
bear’s head. In each ear is placed a small human
figure the hands of which grasp the eyelid of the
monster, which they are lifting. The tail (c) is turned
upward in front of the body, immediately over a
beaver’s head which is the next lower figure on
the column. The dorsal fin (a) has been split, and
one-half of it is seen under the mouth of the bear,
indicated by a projection which is decorated with
a double circle. The fore paws of the animal (d)
are raised in front of its chest, and appear under
the mouth. The fins which are attached to them (b)
are shown to the right and to the left of the
tail. The animal is swallowing another being, but
it is not clear what animal is meant. A fish-tail
and a hand are seen protruding from the mouth.
The space between the fore paws and the tail of
the sea-monster is occupied by an inverted bird,
which will be seen clearly when the figure is reversed. Its head is
shown with beak resting between the feet. The two wings (e) are ex-
tended, and reach from the fins of the fore arm of the monster to its
dorsal fin. The particular point brought out by this figure is the same as
Fig. 237. Model of totem
pole representing a
sea-monster devour-
' ing a fish, Haida.