Heiltsuk (Bella Bella). <em>House Post, from a Set of Four</em>, 19th century. Cedar wood, 103 1/2 x 34 x 16in. (262.9 x 86.4 x 40.6cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1911, Museum Collection Fund, 11.700.3. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 11.700.3_cropped_glass_bw.jpg)

House Post, from a Set of Four

Artist:Heiltsuk (Bella Bella)

Medium: Cedar wood

Geograhical Locations:

Dates:19th century

Dimensions: 103 1/2 x 34 x 16in. (262.9 x 86.4 x 40.6cm) storage (to verify. crate marked for 11.700.4): 45 × 125 × 50 in. (114.3 × 317.5 × 127 cm)

Collections:

Exhibitions:

Accession Number: 11.700.3

Image: 11.700.3_cropped_glass_bw.jpg,

Catalogue Description:
House post (one of four) carved from cedar wood, dark and unpainted that was used as an interior house post to support roof beams. Three figures: large humanoid holding small humanoid figure against chest and still smaller humanoid below small figure between the knees of the large figure. Large figure has humanlike ears. At front of house post, figures are in high relief. In rear, carving is relatively flat. Condition: Surface is worn and weathered overall. Cracks overall and especially large in the head of the main figure. Large wood loss in the post's lower left side (near knee). Missing parts include: part of right hand of small figure, part of large figure's nose, and upper rear section of post. Chunk missing from lower rear (1 1/2 feet long and 2 inches thick). There are iron hooks in back (top and bottom), evidently from a former mount.

Brooklyn Museum