I've not seen it before and was interested to learn it is part of a totem tree.
I understood what inspired most of the carvings as these relate to exhibits in a museum that stands in the grounds. We have spent much time over the years watching bees flying in and out of a small hole in the window frame leading into a glass sided hive. You can see the honeycomb and watch the bees do their waggle dance as they communicate to each other where to find pollen. But Perry's Pot?
I didn't have a clue.
And so I did a Google search. It seems Grayson Perry, 2003 Turner Prize Winner and a artist well known for his ceramic vases, was born in Chelmsford and one of his pieces is part of the museum display. I must check it out next time I visit and see what else I have missed!