|
|
SOM#086, John Edward Svenson, Chilkat Chieftan - Tlingit Indians, Alaska, 1972
|
From the collection of John Birks
Number Issued: 1,509 Bronze
FROM THE ARTIST
This medal commemorates the Chilkat Indians, members of the Tlinget tribe of Southeastern Alaska. The Chilkat Chieftan is shown on the obverse in ceremonial headdress with a carved wooden frontispiece overlaid with ermine pelts topped with flicker feathers and walrus whiskers. The Chilkats were noted for being the most warlike of the tribes and roamed as far south as Vancouver Island for trade and slaves. They became affluent through fur trading with the Russians, Europeans, and Indians in the interior of Alaska. They lived in an area of abundance and in a relatively mild climate, factors which allowed them the leisure to develop a highly sophisticated culture. Their cultural superiority was reflected in their sense of design, artistic sensitivity and honest use of materials. This is strongly apparent in their houae posts, carved utensils, ceremonial regalia and dance blankets. Their culture flourished between 1850 and 1900.
Shown on the reverse side is the famous house post in Klukwan, Alaska, depicting the Strong Boy legend. To the left is the Cannibal Mask and on the right is the Bear Dance Mask. In the background is the Diving Whale blanket, the intricate and rare Chilkat dance blanket.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
John Svenson was born in Los Angeles, California, in 1923. After serving in World War II in Africa and Italy, he studied sculpture under Albert Stewart at the Claremont Graduate School in Claremont, California, and became personal assistant to Mr. Stewart.
He is a Fellow in the National Sculpture Society, on the Board of Trustees for Alaska Indian Arts in Port Chilkoot, Alaska, and Art Consultant to the Los Angeles County Fair Association. He has taught sculpture in California and Alaska.
In both 1957 and 1961, Mr. Svenson received the American Institute of Architecture Award for Excellence in Sculpture. In addition, he has been awarded numerous prizes in shows over the past twenty years. His work has been shown in galleries throughout the United States. He has been commissioned to create more than fifty architectural sculptures for major businesses, parks, malls, and churches, and has several hundred smaller sculptures in private collections.
John Svenson lives with his family in a new home and studio in Green Valley Lake high in the San Bernardino Mountains of Southern California.
|
|
![SOM#086, John Edward Svenson, Chilkat Chieftan - Tlingit Indians, Alaska, 1972
[b]From the collection of John Birks[/b]
[i]Number Issued: 1,509 Bronze[/i]
[b]FROM THE ARTIST[/b]
This medal commemorates the Chilkat Indians, members of the Tlinget tribe of Southeastern Alaska. The Chilkat Chieftan is shown on the obverse in ceremonial headdress with a carved wooden frontispiece overlaid with ermine pelts topped with flicker feathers and walrus whiskers. The Chilkats were noted for being the most warlike of the tribes and roamed as far south as Vancouver Island for trade and slaves. They became affluent through fur trading with the Russians, Europeans, and Indians in the interior of Alaska. They lived in an area of abundance and in a relatively mild climate, factors which allowed them the leisure to develop a highly sophisticated culture. Their cultural superiority was reflected in their sense of design, artistic sensitivity and honest use of materials. This is strongly apparent in their houae posts, carved utensils, ceremonial regalia and dance blankets. Their culture flourished between 1850 and 1900.
Shown on the reverse side is the famous house post in Klukwan, Alaska, depicting the Strong Boy legend. To the left is the Cannibal Mask and on the right is the Bear Dance Mask. In the background is the Diving Whale blanket, the intricate and rare Chilkat dance blanket.
[b]ABOUT THE ARTIST[/b]
John Svenson was born in Los Angeles, California, in 1923. After serving in World War II in Africa and Italy, he studied sculpture under Albert Stewart at the Claremont Graduate School in Claremont, California, and became personal assistant to Mr. Stewart.
He is a Fellow in the National Sculpture Society, on the Board of Trustees for Alaska Indian Arts in Port Chilkoot, Alaska, and Art Consultant to the Los Angeles County Fair Association. He has taught sculpture in California and Alaska.
In both 1957 and 1961, Mr. Svenson received the American Institute of Architecture Award for Excellence in Sculpture. In addition, he has been awarded numerous prizes in shows over the past twenty years. His work has been shown in galleries throughout the United States. He has been commissioned to create more than fifty architectural sculptures for major businesses, parks, malls, and churches, and has several hundred smaller sculptures in private collections.
John Svenson lives with his family in a new home and studio in Green Valley Lake high in the San Bernardino Mountains of Southern California.
Keywords: sold](albums/userpics/10001/SOM%23086-combo.jpg "SOM#086, John Edward Svenson, Chilkat Chieftan - Tlingit Indians, Alaska, 1972
[b]From the collection of John Birks[/b]
[i]Number Issued: 1,509 Bronze[/i]
[b]FROM THE ARTIST[/b]
This medal commemorates the Chilkat Indians, members of the Tlinget tribe of Southeastern Alaska. The Chilkat Chieftan is shown on the obverse in ceremonial headdress with a carved wooden frontispiece overlaid with ermine pelts topped with flicker feathers and walrus whiskers. The Chilkats were noted for being the most warlike of the tribes and roamed as far south as Vancouver Island for trade and slaves. They became affluent through fur trading with the Russians, Europeans, and Indians in the interior of Alaska. They lived in an area of abundance and in a relatively mild climate, factors which allowed them the leisure to develop a highly sophisticated culture. Their cultural superiority was reflected in their sense of design, artistic sensitivity and honest use of materials. This is strongly apparent in their houae posts, carved utensils, ceremonial regalia and dance blankets. Their culture flourished between 1850 and 1900.
Shown on the reverse side is the famous house post in Klukwan, Alaska, depicting the Strong Boy legend. To the left is the Cannibal Mask and on the right is the Bear Dance Mask. In the background is the Diving Whale blanket, the intricate and rare Chilkat dance blanket.
[b]ABOUT THE ARTIST[/b]
John Svenson was born in Los Angeles, California, in 1923. After serving in World War II in Africa and Italy, he studied sculpture under Albert Stewart at the Claremont Graduate School in Claremont, California, and became personal assistant to Mr. Stewart.
He is a Fellow in the National Sculpture Society, on the Board of Trustees for Alaska Indian Arts in Port Chilkoot, Alaska, and Art Consultant to the Los Angeles County Fair Association. He has taught sculpture in California and Alaska.
In both 1957 and 1961, Mr. Svenson received the American Institute of Architecture Award for Excellence in Sculpture. In addition, he has been awarded numerous prizes in shows over the past twenty years. His work has been shown in galleries throughout the United States. He has been commissioned to create more than fifty architectural sculptures for major businesses, parks, malls, and churches, and has several hundred smaller sculptures in private collections.
John Svenson lives with his family in a new home and studio in Green Valley Lake high in the San Bernardino Mountains of Southern California.
Keywords: sold")
