John Cross: Model Totem Poles

One of the great early names in argillite carving, John Cross (Neeslant) also served as the Chief of the Eagle clan at Skidegate for many years. Cross belonged to the same clan—the Eagle Fugitives—as his fellow artist and Northern contemporary Charles Edenshaw (Daax’igang).

Cross was both a fisherman and a builder of boats. A craft whose tradition among the Haida was raised to an art form. A man of diverse talents, he is noted to have also been an expert tattooist in his early life. The later art form had fallen largely out of fashion by the turn of the century, but had been a common practice in Cross’ early years as an artist, and demanded a steady hand and an eye for line.

Anthropologist Marius Barbeau recorded fellow artist, and carver of argillite, Arthur Moody said of Cross: “This old man never forgot anything [meaning the past]. He was first class, a good carver, the best from Haney. He carved everything that was wanted of him…”[1]

The present important pair of argillite model totem poles by Cross exhibit elegantly elongated forms, and Cross’ signature articulation of the fine details such as the nostrils. Remarkable for their near-identical proportion, scale, and design, closely matching pairs of argillite poles are exceptionally uncommon.

The work of the old Haida masters was full of symmetries, but also subtle playful asymmetries, which demanded the artist’s ability to reproduce and repeat even the most complex forms. In the present poles, with their interplay of repetition and subtle variation, Cross makes clear his ability to artfully integrate both to delightful effect.

[1] Marius Barbeau, Haida Carvers in Argillite, Bulletin no. 139, Anthropological series no. 38 (Ottawa: Department of Northern Affairs and National Museums Canada, 1957), 123-125.

About the Auction

Our major fall auction of exceptional First Nations art includes important works by Beau Dick, Jimmy John, John Cross, Norval Morrisseau, Alex Janvier, Eddy Cobiness, Allen Sapp, and Benjamin Chee Chee, as well as notable paintings, graphics, and sculpture by Daphne Odjig, Chief Henry Speck Sr., Robert Charles Davidson, William (Bill) Reid, Jacob Ezra Thomas, Randy Stiglitz, Jane Ash Poitras, and others.

Bidding Available November 7 – 20, 2025.

Public Previews

Previews are available at our Toronto gallery:

Thursday, November 13 from 10 am to 5 pm
Friday, November 14 from 10 am to 5 pm
Saturday, November 15 from 12 pm to 4 pm
Sunday, November 16 from 12 pm to 4 pm
Monday, November 17 from 10 am to 7 pm
Tuesday, November 18 from 10 am to 5 pm
Wednesday, November 19 from 9 am to 12 pm
Or by appointment.

You must be registered to bid in this auction. Register here.

Contact us for condition reports and further information.