Eagle, Bear, Human Model Totem Pole by Laverne R. Baines, 1988

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• Nation: Coast Salish Art, Squamish, Native North American Art
• Artist: Baines, Laverne Roy (Corky)
• Type: Totem

Note: All prices on this website are Canadian Dollars

This Model Totem Pole is very similar to the actual Transformation Pole which now stands almost 4 m (13 feet) tall in Duncan (City of Totems) near the E&N Railway Station. It shows the Eagle over the Bear, holding Human.

by Laverne Roy "Corky" Baines, dated 1988 (one of his last pieces), sadly Corky passed away in 1988.

The Transformation pole in Duncan was carved in 1987 by carver Laverne Roy “Corky” Baines (1949-1988). It stands 3.9m (12’9″) in height and is displayed with three other totem poles on Canada Avenue between the E&N Railway Station and Kenneth Street. Transformation depicts four figures: the Bald Eagle, the Killer Whale, Man and the Wolf

Corky Baines’ sister, Jane Baines Marston, has described the meaning of Transformation as: “The Eagle was very symbolic for Corky in transformation and in life, as Corky had gone from full time fishing into carving. The Man represents that human part of the Killer Whale. Our people believe that there was an undersea world. You put on your Killer Whale and then you went into the ocean. You lived in the undersea world as part human but also as the Whale; when you came up you took the Killer Whale off. You can see the Wolf carved on the Whale’s fluke. When [Corky Baines] would get one of the old [trees] like [the tree in] this pole….he wouldn’t paint it because he could feel the essence of the tree….He loved the wood of the tree and he wanted to let it speak for itself…”

Measurements of this piece: 18" x 4" x 3.5", wingspan 5.5" (46 x 10 x 9 cm, wingspan 14 cm)

This Totem is signed with carved Signature on base, dated April 26, 1988, the wings probably have been restored at some point, difficult to see

 

Photos of This Piece

About This Artist

Laverne Roy “Corky” Baines was born in Chemainus in 1949 and is of Coast Salish heritage, from Peggy Island (near Chemainus). He started carving at the age of thirty-four but passed away five years later. Corky’s wife and family...Artist bio and other available works »