Mid 20th Century Large Carved North West Coast BearTotem Spirit of Strength, Family Protection

Details

Description

We have a wonderful dark, hand-carved wooden Bear totem sculpture, initially identified as being from a Pacific Northwest Coast Indian … Read more We have a wonderful dark, hand-carved wooden Bear totem sculpture, initially identified as being from a Pacific Northwest Coast Indian Tribe to bring the spirit symbolizing strength, family protection, authority, and parenthood to your home.
Height: 13.5 inches
Depth: 3.5 inches
Length: 4.75
Base: 4.75 X 3.5 inches
Weight: 2 pounds 4 ounces
Believed to be carved sometime in the Mid 1900s with a possible signature on the base.
There is a small wood chip out of one ear and a scratch across part of the bear's tongue. See photos.

Style: The sculpture features stylized features characteristic of indigenous art from regions like Alaska or British Columbia.
Material: It appears to be carved from a dark wood, possibly cedar, which is commonly used for these types of ceremonial or decorative items.
Significance: Figures like this often depict shamanic figures, animals, or ancestral spirits.

This is definitely not a Māori carving Instead, this piece features distinct form lines, a square brow, and animalistic ears that strongly align with Pacific Northwest Coast Indigenous art styles, such as those from the Haida, Tlingit, or Kwakwaka'wakw peoples.

Based on the specific design traits in the carving, this figure is almost certainly representing a Bear

In Pacific Northwest Coast Indigenous Art, animals are identified by a standardized set of anatomical features known as crest indicators:
Visual Evidence for the Bear

The Snout and Large Nostrils: The nose is wide, short, and rounded at the bridge, rather than flat or avian (like a raven or eagle).
The Ears: The upright, short, blocky ears positioned at the very top of the head are a classic indicator for land mammals—most notably the bear or wolf.
The Broad Mouth and Teeth: It features a wide, prominent grin showcasing a blocky row of teeth. Bears are typically carved with their mouths open or showing teeth to convey power and vitality.
Paws and Posture: The creature is sitting upright with its front paws resting on its knees, mimicking the human-like sitting stance that bears frequently take in traditional stories and art styles.

Cultural Meaning
In the traditions of Northwest Coast nations (like the Haida, Tlingit, and Tsimshian), the Bear
is a deeply respected spirit symbolizing strength, family protection, authority, and parenthood. Because bears walk on two legs and look after their cubs much like humans, they are often regarded in lore as close relatives or links between the human and animal worlds.
If you would like to verify this or find a similar style, you can check out the contemporary masterworks featured at the Spirits of the West Coast Art Gallery or explore the historical archives at the Douglas Reynolds Gallery. See less