Masks

Portrait Mask
Joshua Prescott-Shaw (Cree)

Human heroes and human-like personifications of sun and wind are common in Northwest Coast iconog...

Human heroes and human-like personifications of sun and wind are common in Northwest Coast iconography. Human faces hidden in other crests reveal the transformative ability of all animals.

Dzunukwa Transformation Mask
Lorrie Pambrun (Cree)

Dimensions are of the mask closed and excluding cedar bark.Open Dimensions: 23" H x 27 ½" W x 10 ...

Dimensions are of the mask closed and excluding cedar bark.Open Dimensions: 23" H x 27 ½" W x 10 ½" D

Ghost Mask
Gilbert Dawson (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Amongst the Kwakwaka’wakw, the souls of the dead are widely believed to live as ghosts in their o...

Amongst the Kwakwaka’wakw, the souls of the dead are widely believed to live as ghosts in their own villages in the spirit world, where everything is an exact inversion of the world of the living, the seasons and daylight hours being opposite. During the Kwakwaka’wakw ceremony of Winalagalis, the War Spirit, dancers wearing ghost masks appear in a performance that dramatizes a visit to the land of the dead.  Ghosts also frequently accompany Bak’was (Bookwus), the Wild Man of the Woods, who is...

Dogfish Sun Mask
Glen Rabena

Sun is generally a symbol of life and creative power. Usually male, Sun is often depicted as a po...

Sun is generally a symbol of life and creative power. Usually male, Sun is often depicted as a powerful supernatural chief. Sun is usually depicted with a rounded humanlike face surrounded by long rays, sometimes shells or copper is used to emphasize brightness.Dogfish is a small variety of shark found on the Northwest Coast. It is distinguished by its distinctive gills, triangular teeth, and split pupils. Dogfish is known to represent assertiveness and persistence.

Eagle Mask
Gilbert Dawson (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Mask measurement on stand 7 ½" HEagle is one of the most important beings in the art and mytholog...

Mask measurement on stand 7 ½" HEagle is one of the most important beings in the art and mythology of the Northwest Coast. It is respected for its intel­ligence and power, as well as its extraordinary vision, in both the literal and figurative senses. Eagles in myth are, likewise, usu­ally noble characters. Eagle is revered as a powerful hunter. Groups of mythical Eagles may gather for co-operative whale hunting expeditions, since, unlike the giant Thunderbird, Eagle is not strong enough to h...

Portrait Mask
Gwen Adams (Gitxsan)

Sun Mask
Dick Joseph (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Sun is generally a symbol of life and creative power. Usually male, Sun is often depicted as a po...

Sun is generally a symbol of life and creative power. Usually male, Sun is often depicted as a powerful supernatural chief. Sun is usually depicted with a rounded humanlike face surrounded by long rays, sometimes shells or copper is used to emphasize brightness.

Pugwis Mask
Charlie Johnson (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Bear Mask
Reg Davidson (Haida)

Bear is a dominant crest symbol. Bears are closely related to humans especially when standing on ...

Bear is a dominant crest symbol. Bears are closely related to humans especially when standing on their hind legs, bridging the human and non-human realms. Their strength and intelligence are universally respected and they are considered to be helping spirits of warriors. Bear is often depicted with a short snout, round paws, stubby tail and bared teeth.

Geekumhl Mask
Russell Smith (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Moon Mask
Trace Yeomans (Haida)

Edition /12Mounted on a marble surround. 15" diam including the backing.Moon is associated with p...

Edition /12Mounted on a marble surround. 15" diam including the backing.Moon is associated with peace and transformation and is also widely regarded as a protector and guardian spirit. In some stories, the Moon originated as a chip of the Sun, which Raven broke into pieces. Moon is often depicted with humanoid features and can sometimes be distinguished from the Sun by a labret in its bottom lip indicating female nobility.

Eclipse of the Moon Mask
Gilbert Dawson (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Measurements do not include feathers.

Measurements do not include feathers.

The Light
Don Yeomans (Haida)

Edition /12

Edition /12

Komokwa Mask
Tom Hunt Jr. (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Komokwa is of major importance in Kwakwaka’wakw oral tradition. He is King of the Undersea World,...

Komokwa is of major importance in Kwakwaka’wakw oral tradition. He is King of the Undersea World, and master and protector of the Seals, who were a symbol of wealth. His name means "Rich One." Komokwa rules from a great house under the water. His house contains immense wealth in blankets, coppers, and other treasures. Many human supplicants of legendary history tried to reach this kingdom and those ancestral heroes who achieved their goal became wealthy and powerful, returning to their home v...

Tsimshian Warrior Mask
Simon Reece (Tsimshian)

Raven Mask
Ses Saunders (Nuxalk)

Raven is central to coastal mythology. As a culture hero, a transformer, and a trickster, his adv...

Raven is central to coastal mythology. As a culture hero, a transformer, and a trickster, his adventures at the beginning of time released the sun and the moon and brought the world into existence. Raven is identified by its straight beak and lack of ears or plumage on the head.