What does the cryptic crossword clue "Carving on reservation, painted plate needing time for inscription (5,4)" mean?

The definition is "Carving on reservation,". The wordplay uses a container (one word inside another). TEMPO (synonym="time") in TOLE (synonym="“painted, lacquered or Japanned tinware”") = TOTEMPOLE; definition: "Carving on reservation," The answer is TOTEMPOLE.

Carving on reservation, painted plate needing time for inscription (5,4)

Guardian Cryptic #29044 | 3 Down | 2023-04-14 flower

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