Pedestrians and motorists crossing the canal bridge on Castle Street in Berkhamsted for the first time can be taken by surprise on encountering a most unexpected Totem Pole carved Raven looking at them, and may well think they are imaging things.
This Totem Pole may seem unexpected on a bank of the Grand Union Canal in Berkhamsted, so far from where it originates in Kwakiutl, British Columbia, Canada. It was commissioned by John Alsford a director of the J Alsford Ltd, timber merchants and importers in 1968. It stands on the site of what was previously one of J Alsford Ltd's wood yards, but now the gardens of the redeveloped apartments Alsford Wharf. The red cedar wood Totem Pole was carved and designed by the Kwaguilth artist Chief Henry Hunt of the Kwakiutl tribe, with assistance from Tony Hunt his son. Castle Street, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, UK, September 2008
The master carver and designer Chief Henry Hunt, trained under the master carver Mungo Martin who both worked at the Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria. He is highly regarded as an exponent of monumental Southern Kwakiutl sculpture, his work is exhibited internationally.
Notes by Jason Henry Hunt (grandson of Henry Hunt & great grandson of Mungo Martin) discussing the Totem Pole at Berkhamsted as seen from the photograph.
"The figures are:
Bottom: Sisiutl- He is a mythical two-headed sea serpent. He is somewhat of a protector so is often depicted on house fronts. In this photo you can see the "middle" head at the bottom and then the serpent body going up the side of the pole with a head attached to it. On the other side would be the other head.
Next: Hawkman Sun- You can tell by the rays protruding from his face. It is essentially the essence of light. We have figures for most things in our environment not just animals. There are also Moon Masks and Star Masks.
On top: Raven- Usually on top of most poles is a bird of some kind. The Raven is many things including the creator and also known as the trickster. He is probably the most powerful figure we have as he is also known to have brought light to the world.
This pole possible depicts how the Raven brought light to the world and now the Sisiutl is protecting it. It's more complex than that but this is a simplification."
"The poles have numerous purposes but the most common is displaying your family crests. Each figure is looked upon as property of the particular family that owns the rights to it. Numerous families may own rights to a certain figure through marriage and so on. Other poles are put up as memorial poles , marriage poles and welcome figures. Up until recently, carvers like myself would have to stick to what our family owned." Jason Henry Hunt (grandson of Henry Hunt)
Date: 22/09/2008
Location: Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, England
Photographer: Richard Keith Wolff
