Inuit Art Online Auction

June 02, 2016

LOT 316

Lot 316

SU-Á-PU-LUCK (Chief Mathias Joseph Capilano)

SU-Á-PU-LUCK (Chief Mathias Joseph Capilano)
Lot 316 Details
SU-Á-PU-LUCK (Chief Mathias Joseph Capilano), Squamish

THUNDERBIRD, BEAR AND FROG TOTEM

painted wood
signed in Roman
9.5" x 5" x 1.75" — 24.1 x 12.7 x 4.4 cm.

Estimate $400-$600

Realised: $360
Price Includes Buyer's Premium ?

Lot Report

Additional Images
SU-Á-PU-LUCK (Chief Mathias Joseph Capilano)
  • SU-Á-PU-LUCK (Chief Mathias Joseph Capilano)
  • SU-Á-PU-LUCK (Chief Mathias Joseph Capilano)
  • SU-Á-PU-LUCK (Chief Mathias Joseph Capilano)
Provenance:

From the Estate of Mildred Valley Thornton Hon. CPA, FRSA, Canada, accompanied by a letter dated 21st February 2016 from Bryan Thornton, Mildred’s Grandson;
Private collection, Toronto, ON

Literature:

Robin Fisher, “SU-Á-PU-LUCK” from Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 13, 1994

Note:

After the death of Chief Láwa, in 1895, Joe Capilano became chief of the Squamish Nation and a leading political activist on First Nations issues. In 1906, Capilano, Cowichan Chief Charley Isipaymilt, and Secwepemc Chief Basil David led a delegation to voice their concerns for native land claims. The men travelled to Ottawa, where they met Prime Minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier, and then on to London, England to meet King Edward VII. “The petition expressing their grievances was not presented directly to the monarch but had to be sent through diplomatic channels. It asserted that aboriginal title to the land had never been extinguished, that settlers had moved onto the land without its owners’ approval, that appeals to the Canadian government had been fruitless, and that native people, who lacked the vote, were not even consulted by Indian agents on matters affecting their lives.

On his return home Su-á-pu-luck was received with great enthusiasm by his people but he had to admit that, apart from generating some much-needed publicity for his cause, the trip had achieved nothing concrete. While the meeting with the king was a pleasant occasion, the real problems of native people in British Columbia would have to be dealt with by Canadian governments. The trip to Britain was, however, an important step for native people in the process of taking political protest into their own hands.”

CONDITION DETAILS

For condition information please contact the specialist.

LOT 316
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About Condition Ratings

  • 5 Stars: Excellent - No discernable damage, flaws or imperfections
  • 4 Stars: Very Good - Minor flaws or imperfections visible only under close inspection using specialised instruments or black light
  • 3 Stars: Good - Minor flaws visible upon inspection under standard lighting
  • 2 Stars: Fair - Exhibits flaws or damage that may draw the eye under standard lighting
  • 1 Star: Poor - Flaws or damage immediately apparent under standard lighting (examples: missing components, rips, broken glass, damaged surfaces, etc.)

Note: Condition ratings and condition details are the subjective opinions of our specialists and should be used as a guide only. Waddington’s uses due care when preparing condition details, however, our staff are not professional restorers or conservators. Condition details and reports are not warranties and each lot is sold “as is” in accordance with the buyer’s terms and conditions of sale. In all cases the prospective purchaser is responsible for inspecting the property themselves prior to placing a bid.