Ellen Neel Sold at Auction Prices

Sculptor / Carver, b. 1916 - d. 1966

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  • KAKASO'LAS ELLEN NEEL, FIRST NATIONS, Untitled (Totem in a Landscape), c. 1960
    Jun. 01, 2026

    KAKASO'LAS ELLEN NEEL, FIRST NATIONS, Untitled (Totem in a Landscape), c. 1960

    Est: $5,000 - $8,000

    ḴAḴASO’LAS ELLEN NEEL (1916-1966) KWAKWA̱KA̱ʼWAKW (and possibly A MEMBER OF THE NEEL FAMILY) Untitled (Totem in a Landscape), c. 1960 cedar wood wire brush carved totem, paint, and plaster on plywood, 31.25 x 23 x 4 in (79.4 x 58.4 x 10.2 cm) the totem pole adhered with two slotted brass screws; signed, "Ellen Neel / Ka Ka Solas (Kakaso'las)" Provenance Acquired directly from the artist by a Private Collection, BC, early 1960s; Acquired from the above by the present Toronto Collection. We, the Indian artist, must be allowed to create. We must be allowed new and modern techniques... new and modern tools... new and modern materials. Ellen Neel Keynote Address for the first B.C. Arts and Welfare Society Conference, University of British Columbia — April 1948 Kwakwakaʼwakw artist Ḵaḵaso’las, Ellen Neel (1916-1966) is known as a pioneering female Northwest Coast carver and entrepreneur. Trained by her grandfather Yakuglas, Charlie James (c.1867-1938) (see lot 59) and mentored by her uncle Mungo Martin, Chief Nakaṕankam (1881-1962) (see lots 33, 42, and 59), she not only produced large scale crest poles in Stanley Park but also innovated forms and materials to create new commercial products, including model poles, silkscreen scarves, and porcelain tableware. She established her own business and retail store, Totem Art Studios, and transformed Indigenous cultural forms for the tourist market. This mixed-media work on panel is a unique example of her innovative artistic spirit. A cedar model pole and illusionistic plaster rocks have been affixed to a brushily painted forest background. The natural wood grain surface of the pole recalls her highly sought-after unpainted masks, whose natural wood grain and organically curving surfaces deploy a modernist emphasis on materiality. Neel utilized a technique for such masks in which she charred the wood then scrubbed it with a wire brush to reveal the gradations in the grain, and used a similar technique for select few model poles and wood sculptures. Here, the technique evokes a weathered pole in situ, appealing to the diorama-like nature of the assemblage. The pole itself seems to emerge from a halo of white clouds or smoke and the painted background, emulating the romantic post-impressionistic style of Emily Carr, seems to suggest a timeless scene of wonder. Yet the work’s techniques—broad unfinished brushstrokes, stark materiality, and innovative combination of mediums—declare its modernity. The painting may have been influenced by or made in collaboration with Neel’s son, Tla’tla’klalis, David L. Neel (1937-1961), who was among the first Kwakwakaʼwakw artists to enroll in formal Euro-Canadian fine art training through painting classes at the Vancouver Art Gallery. Like the present example, his work in the late 1950s combined Euro-Canadian painting conventions with Kwakwakaʼwakw subject matter, including a celebrated image of a dancer and crest pole that appeared on the cover of The Native Voice in 1958 [1]. Totem Art Studios was a full family affair, and this extraordinary work from Neel’s oeuvre confirms her and her family’s importance as key figures in the history of modern Northwest Coast Native art. Christopher T. Green 1. The now-famous photograph of Ḵaḵaso’las, Ellen Neel in her studio captures the artist at work, with a copy of The Native Voice, illustrated with David Neel’s painting, visible on the table beside her. See Gar Lunney, Ellen Neel at work in her studio, 1958. Library and Archives Canada / National Film Board fonds, e011176933. Christopher T. Green, Ph.D. is a New York-area based writer and scholar whose research, teaching, and curating focus has included modern and contemporary Native North American art and material culture, and the global representation and display of Indigenous art and culture. His current research focuses on contemporary Tlingit art and the interrelation of 20th century Northwest Coast Native art and Euro-American modernism. He currently serves as visiting assistant professor of Art History and Environmental Studies at Swarthmore College.

    First Arts Premier Inc.
  • Ellen Neel (Kakaso'las) (1916-1966), Kwakwakaʼwakw, MODEL TOTEM POLE
    Sep. 12, 2024

    Ellen Neel (Kakaso'las) (1916-1966), Kwakwakaʼwakw, MODEL TOTEM POLE

    Est: $700 - $900

    Ellen Neel (Kakaso'las) (1916-1966), Kwakwakaʼwakw MODEL TOTEM POLE Estimate: $700—900 CAD

    Waddington's
  • ELLEN NEEL - Wooden Totem
    Apr. 23, 2023

    ELLEN NEEL - Wooden Totem

    Est: $70 - $90

    ELLEN NEEL (Canadian/Kwakwaka'wakw, 1916-1966) "Wooden Totem" - Carved cedar. Signed in pen 'Ellen Neel' on back. 11 x 8.25 x 3.25 inches. Excellent condition. From the collection of Regina artist David Thauberger.

    Saskatchewan Network for Art Collecting
  • An Ellen Neel mask, 1955
    Aug. 30, 2021

    An Ellen Neel mask, 1955

    Est: $800 - $1,200

    Ellen Neel Kwakwaka'wakw (Kwakiutl), (1916-1966), mask, 1955, carved and polychrome painted wood, signed and dated on the interior. height 10 1/4in, width 8 3/4in For further information on this lot please visit the Bonhams website

    Bonhams
  • Ellen Neel (Kwakwaka'waka,1916-1966) Lot is located and will ship from Cincinnati, Ohio.Model Totem Pole, 1951
    Oct. 09, 2020

    Ellen Neel (Kwakwaka'waka,1916-1966) Lot is located and will ship from Cincinnati, Ohio.Model Totem Pole, 1951

    Est: $2,000 - $4,000

    Ellen Neel (Kwakwaka'waka,1916-1966) Lot is located and will ship from Cincinnati, Ohio.Model Totem Pole, 1951 signed and dated on reverse Ellen Neel / Kakasolas; with brass plaque, Greetings from British Columbia, Totem-Land, A Great Place "To Live" "To Work" - "To Play" height 22-1/2 inches x width 12-1/2 inches

    Hindman
  • Ellen Neel, a carved and polychromed two figure totem pole, the back stamped "Made in Canada by Ellen Neel & The totem carvers", Kwa...
    Oct. 18, 2017

    Ellen Neel, a carved and polychromed two figure totem pole, the back stamped "Made in Canada by Ellen Neel & The totem carvers", Kwa...

    Est: $200 - $300

    Ellen Neel, a carved and polychromed two figure totem pole, the back stamped "Made in Canada by Ellen Neel & The totem carvers", Kwakiutl Indians height: 8 1/2 in. (21.6 cm)

    Maynards Fine Art & Antiques
  • Ellen Neel (Kwakwaka'wakw, 1916 - 1966) Carved Mask, Property of a Midwest Collector
    Sep. 23, 2017

    Ellen Neel (Kwakwaka'wakw, 1916 - 1966) Carved Mask, Property of a Midwest Collector

    Est: $800 - $1,200

    Moon Mask signed and titled on reverse 17 x 13.75 in.

    Cowan's Auctions
  • Ellen Neel, a carved cedar West Wind mask, signed 10 1/2 x 7 1/4 x 3 3/8 in. (26.7 x 18.4 x 8.6 cm)
    Oct. 19, 2016

    Ellen Neel, a carved cedar West Wind mask, signed 10 1/2 x 7 1/4 x 3 3/8 in. (26.7 x 18.4 x 8.6 cm)

    Est: $800 - $1,200

    Ellen Neel, a carved cedar West Wind mask, signed 10 1/2 x 7 1/4 x 3 3/8 in. (26.7 x 18.4 x 8.6 cm)

    Maynards Fine Art & Antiques
  • Ellen Neel, a carved cedar Tsonokwa mask, signed 9 1/8 x 7 1/4 x 4 1/4 in. (23.2 x 18.4 x 10.8 cm)
    Oct. 19, 2016

    Ellen Neel, a carved cedar Tsonokwa mask, signed 9 1/8 x 7 1/4 x 4 1/4 in. (23.2 x 18.4 x 10.8 cm)

    Est: $800 - $1,200

    Ellen Neel, a carved cedar Tsonokwa mask, signed 9 1/8 x 7 1/4 x 4 1/4 in. (23.2 x 18.4 x 10.8 cm)

    Maynards Fine Art & Antiques
  • ELLEN MAY NEEL (NATIVE CANADIAN, 1916-1966)
    Jan. 23, 2014

    ELLEN MAY NEEL (NATIVE CANADIAN, 1916-1966)

    Est: $400 - $600

    ELLEN MAY NEEL (NATIVE CANADIAN, 1916-1966) UNTITLED (EAGLE AND BEAVER) ; CARVED AND PAINTED TOTEM; SIGNED ON THE REVERSE (Overall size, 34.5" x 24") Cond. noted to beaver tail top right and right wing verso.

    Waddington's
  • Ellen Neel, a carved and polychromed cedar model pole, signed, 8 x 7 1/8 x 1 3/4 in. (20.32 x 18.1 x 4.45 cm)
    Oct. 23, 2013

    Ellen Neel, a carved and polychromed cedar model pole, signed, 8 x 7 1/8 x 1 3/4 in. (20.32 x 18.1 x 4.45 cm)

    Est: $150 - $250

    Ellen Neel, a carved and polychromed cedar model pole, signed 8 x 7 1/8 x 1 3/4 in. (20.32 x 18.1 x 4.45 cm)

    Maynards Fine Art & Antiques
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