the talking stick was used in native north american tribes at council meetings. it was used as courtesy not to interrupt a chief when he was speaking. the talking stick was then passed to the next council member who wished to speak. the stick was a ceremonial item and was decorated with eagle feathers and crystals to show its significance. cicero august was born in 1940 in cowichan bay, vancouver island, british columbia, canada. this area is representative of the cowichan band, a tribe that mainly inahbits the southern region of british columbia. cicero began carving at the very young age of eight. he reveals that his inspiration to carve northwest coast native artwork came from mungo martin, the father of northwest coast art responsible for bringing the art back when it was nearly lost as a culture. cicero apprenticed under simon charlie for four years. simon, a master carver, taught cicero the traditional techniques of carving. with much experience and knowledge of his cultural mythology, cicero has become a master carver himself.the dimensions of the talking stick 26" x2 1/4" signed by the artist in monogram.

Regional & Ethnic Antiques