Like the pole from Lot 1, this model pole was likely made by a Coast Salish artist from southern Vancouver Island or the adjacent mainland, ca. 1890-1910. While this pole is configured as a stacked multifigure model pole, the naturalistic figures are rendered in high relief, emerging from a back panel in a manner similar to historic Coast Salish house posts. The high relief style of the pole and lack of northern design elements indicate that this pole was likely created in the earlier period of the estimated age range. The ten figures depicted are eagle, Dall’s porpoise, kneeling human flanked by mammals (probably mustelids), a pair of birds, and an upright walking bear that is grasping a serpent and what appears to be a swaddled cub. The specificity of the imagery on this model pole indicate that it is probably relaying a particular story.

— Christopher W. Smith