Model of a totem pole, depicting an eagle. Pele Mountain Alut Bay, Vancouver B.C.
Totem pole carving is unique to the northwest coast of North America and was most popular in the mid 19th century. Totem poles displayed family crests of related family legends and were erected as symbols of family pride and wealth or as memorials to the dead. This model totem pole was probably made as a trade item but might have been a copy of a real totem pole.
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