Nuu-chah-nulth (Ucluelet) House Post, ca 1880

This is one of four house posts that supported the massive roof beams of a traditional house at the Ucluelet community of Ihatso on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Charles F. Newcombe purchased all four posts in 1911 and noted that they were owned by a man called Atsek. In Thunderbird Park, this post is presented as a free-standing pole; its original function as an inside house post is no longer evident. (The other three posts from Ihatso were also in Thunderbird Park at this time, supporting the roof beams of the building beside this post.)
RBCM 2109.

A single human-like figure is represented, an ancestor of the house’s owner.