Description
Spreading the News
Champion of Freedom
A totem pole for your wall, this ceramic collage is made of stoneware shards mounted to a poplar “stick”. The shards are covered with black slip, then carved in the sgraffito technique. Color is carefully inlaid before it is fired to 2167 degrees F. Finally the shards are mounted to a poplar “stick”, with bumpers at the bottom to protect your wall.
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Read more about my totem sticks and the inspiration behind them here.
So what do these totems mean?
- Broken Arrow – A broken arrow indicates friendship.
- Diamond pattern – The diamond or half-diamond pattern represents the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. It pays homage to the diamond back rattle snake and symbolizes our respect for nature. Rattlesnakes were important to the ancient Choctaw farmers because they ate small varmints that threatened the corn crops. When the diamond appears in a border, such as on Choctaw clothing, it is meant to represent a pathway.
- Feather – Feathers are often associated with warriors and chiefs, but they also represent prayer. Ancient Native Americans believed that prayers were carried to the Great Spirit on the wings of an eagle.
- Spiral – The spiral is the most used symbol in the world. It is used by virtually every culture in some manner. For most North American tribes it symbolizes the life force, one’s personal path, or the creative spirit.
- Woodpecker – Called “Biskinik” in Choctaw, the woodpecker is known as the news bird. In fact, the Choctaw newspaper is named The Biskinik. The way the woodpecker “knocks” on a tree symbolizes opportunity knocking.
Ready to hang
Ready to hang with a D hook on the back. Perfect for that slice of wall next to a door or window but would be beautiful in a grouping as well.
- Handcrafted by the artist, personally
- Supplies hand picked from the best US suppliers
- Card explaining totems included
- Exclusively featured here – you won’t find anywhere else
27 x 6 x 1″, stoneware, slips, mounted on poplar
©Carolyn Bernard Young
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