Heiltsuk (Bella Bella). House Post, from a Set of Four, 19th century. Cedar wood, 91 1/2 x 31 1/2 x 17 1/4in. (232.4 x 80 x 43.8cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1911, Museum Collection Fund, 11.700.2. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 11.700.2_cropped_glass_bw.jpg)
Heiltsuk (Bella Bella). House Post, from a Set of Four, 19th century. Cedar wood, 91 1/2 x 31 1/2 x 17 1/4in. (232.4 x 80 x 43.8cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1911, Museum Collection Fund, 11.700.2. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 11.700.2_glass_bw.jpg)
House Post, from a Set of Four
Arts of the Americas
CULTURE
Heiltsuk (Bella Bella)
MEDIUM
Cedar wood
DATES
19th century
DIMENSIONS
91 1/2 x 31 1/2 x 17 1/4in. (232.4 x 80 x 43.8cm)
storage (CRATE made 2009 for 11.700.1 adapted 2012 for 11.700.2): 45 × 50 × 110 in. (114.3 × 127 × 279.4 cm) (show scale)
COLLECTIONS
Arts of the Americas
ACCESSION NUMBER
11.700.2
CREDIT LINE
Museum Expedition 1911, Museum Collection Fund
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
House post (one of four) carved from a single piece of cedar wood, dark and unpainted that was used as an interior house post to support roof beams. Two figures: large bird probably missing its curved beak holds a small humanoid figure in front of a shield (called a "copper") on its chest. Larger figure has humanoid ears and mouth. Figures in high relief. Back of post is roughly carved and hollowed out into a concave cavity.
Condition: At the center rear base area there is a major wood loss. Overall wear and worm holes, cracks. Parts missing: nose (or "beak") of bird, nose of smaller figure, part of the left hand of larger figure. There are several cracks that include many large vertical cracks, abrasions, losses, scratches, and surface wear. In some areas the wood is weak due to rot and insect damage. There are iron hooks in the back (top and bottom), evidently from a former mount.
EXHIBITIONS
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Heiltsuk (Bella Bella). House Post, from a Set of Four, 19th century. Cedar wood, 91 1/2 x 31 1/2 x 17 1/4in. (232.4 x 80 x 43.8cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1911, Museum Collection Fund, 11.700.2. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 11.700.2_cropped_glass_bw.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 11.700.2_cropped_glass_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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