figur, skulptur

Totemfigur. Den är förfärdigad av ben, ant. valfisk, har U-formig genomskärning och är svagt böjd. Figurerna äro djupt utskurna, delvis är benväggen genombruten, målning samt inläggningar av pärlemor (för ögonen) fullständiga dekorationen. Den står på en grodformad platta, som likaledes är utskuren ur ett platt benstycke. Vad beträffar figurernas btydelse jfr. det bifogade brevet (ur generalkatalogen):

"Port Angeles, Wash. June 7, 1938.

Dear Chief Lone Eagle:

In older times before the white men spoiled the Indians here, every chief had some kind of a token or some sign or "coat of arms". For Instance, the Quillayute Tribe belonged to the Raven Clan so their chief adopted the raven as their principal sign. According to old Indian Folk lore, the Raven represents the Great Spirit or their God and when they have him with them they are successful, good and strong.

So I am sending to you by your illustrious brother, H.R.H. Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf, a coat of arms that I secured from an old Indian who belonged to the Raven Clan. Please glue it together the way it was. I know you will say that this is not worth having but let me tell you it was hard to get from the old Indian because it was an old family relique.

Now I will explain to you what some of the figures represent. The stand it is fastened to represents a frog. The frog lives on land and water and the Indians get their living from both land and water. The next figure the Indians call "Was-co" which is the evil spirit that is tempting the Indian to do wrong. The next figure is a wolf representing treachery and deceit and is a warning to the Indian to be on his guard. The next figure is the Raven bird representing the Great good Spirit that created this earth and everything on it and the one who helps the Indians to overcome their enemies and their trouble.

The next two figures represent the medicine man and his pill box. The medicine man according to the Indian belief is a great man; he can tell them what kind of weather it will be tomorrow or the next day; he can rub the evil spirit out of them when they get sick; he can tell how many children they are going to have and so forth; he is "tops" and really a wonderful man according to their belief. This may not interest you at all now, buth I thought it might do so.

I note by the Swedish newspapers that you will send the Indian dress I gave you to the Swedish Historical Museum in Philadelphia. They should have your "coat of arm" with it. It also notice that you have changed your Indian name to "ensamma björnen"; I think you should keep the name that the Indians gave you. I would be pleased to hear from you that you have received this token anyway.

Your old friend,
K.O. Erickson
"The White Bear"
Vita Björnen"