dłam (Interior House Post)

House posts often served as structural supports inside large dwelling houses. Figures represented on Kwakwaka'wakw house posts were often supernatural beings which the family living in the house had the right, through their history and origins, to display as a family privilege.

There were two matched pairs of house posts inside the dwelling. Only this post from the rear of the house still exists.

status

Sea lion is recognized by an elongated body, rounded snout, and flippers. Whale is represented with a large rounded head, a dorsal fin and blow-hole, and bi-furcated tail. Bear is usually shown with squared snout and ears, flared nostrils, and fierce teeth.

Wood house post carved in high relief; crescent shaped in cross section. Depicted from top down are: sea lion in profile with bared teeth; bird with a circular head and a downturned mouth; whale in profile in the talons of the bird; bear with protruding ears. All of the figures are carved within the pole.