Past Restorations

While going through the archives of the Chief's Crest Pole, I discovered that this is not the first time that this Pole was repaired.  In 2001 it appears that a restoration effort was made.  This was also likely the time that the metal base was added.  The problems that came up during this restoration seem very similar to those that are here now.  Moisture and heat caused cracking, moss growth, paint chipping, and even the possibility of ants.  Bellow are several before and after photos from the last restoration:

The base before.

The base after.

The hat before.

The hat after.

The top of the hat before.

The top of the hat after.

The Chief's face before.

The Chief's face after.

The future of the Chief's Crest Pole is one that will keep it much safer than it's been in the past.  In the near future, after the restoration is complete, it will stay up at the Benaki museum.  After this time, the Canadian Embassy will look for a permanent home (possibly in their Embassy) were the Pole will be indoors and away from the elements.

When The Pole Came To Greece

Foreign Affairs Canada have it recorded that this totem was a gift to the Canadian Embassy in Athens from the Premier of the Canadian province of British Columbia. The Premier's name was W. A. Bennett (he was Premier starting August 1, 1952 till September 15, 1972), while the Canadian Ambassador in Greece at the time was Mr. M. Gauvin. The gift was made during the term of Mr. Gauvin's ambassadorship, between 1970 and 1975.

For a short time the Totem Pole was on display at the front door of the embassy, but after some re-design of the lobby it had to be moved.  The decision was to move it into the garden of the Official Residence. Some might argue that it was a bad choice to move this piece of art outdoors, but there's also merit in displaying this fine piece of art in a natural surrounding.

The Animals Represented On The Chief's Crest Pole

The Chief's Crest Pole consists of four sections, each section adding to the story of the totem pole.  Many people used to believe that these different representations had a religious meaning, but as Chief Hunt mentioned the totem poles were used as markers and communication tools, not as religious symbols.

The top of the Chief's Crest Pole is topped with the Chief with Conical Hat.

Bellow the Chief with conical hat is the Raven. 

In the mouth of the Raven is the Frog.

At the base is the Whale, with his fin possibly facing in the wrong direction.

A Look At Chief Tony Hunt

The artist of this Totem Pole is Chief Tony Hunt (A First Nations artist of Kwakwaka’wakw (Kwakiutl) ancestry), whom along with his uncle and two cousins carved the Totem Pole in the 1960s. Apparently the carving took approximately a month and half to finish.

Chief Hunt mentioned that the tools used were not very advanced (no chainsaws) for this Totem Pole and that's why the carvings "aren't very deep". Tony Hunt recalls carving the totem, and on the basis of his recommendation, Foreign Affairs Canada has changed the title of the totem to "Chief's Crest Pole".

Today Chief Hunt lives in British Columbia and his artwork is available in many galleries all over the country.  His Totem Poles can be found all over the world including Japan and Mexico. He is also responsible for the for the KwaGulth ceremonial Big House, considered to be the largest of it's kind in the Pacific Northwest.