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.

Raven Mask
Gilbert Dawson (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Mask measurement on stand 7 ½" HRaven is central to coastal mythology. As a culture hero, a trans...

Mask measurement on stand 7 ½" HRaven 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.

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)

Geekumhl Mask
Russell Smith (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Komokwa Mask
Rande Cook (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...

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)

Octopus Mask
George David (Nuu-chah-nulth)

Octopus, also known as Devilfish, is a sea spirit helper known for its transformational abilities...

Octopus, also known as Devilfish, is a sea spirit helper known for its transformational abilities. It is a crest in the Tsimshian Eagle clan and symbolizes wealth in Kwakwaka’wakw mythology.

Raven Moon Mask
Reg Davidson (Haida)

Moon is associated with peace and transformation and is also widely regarded as a protector and g...

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 be distinguished from the Sun by a labret in its bottom lip indicating female nobility. 

Hawk Moon Mask
Reg Davidson (Haida)

Hawk is often associated with the Sun and is revered for its superior vision and skill in hunting...

Hawk is often associated with the Sun and is revered for its superior vision and skill in hunting. In mythology, this bird is personified as the transformation beings Hawk Man and Hawk Woman.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 be distinguished from the Sun by a labret in its ...

Articulated Portrait Mask
Corey Moraes (Tsimshian)

Mosquito Mask
Gilbert Dawson (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Mask Height on Base: 9 ½"Base: 5 ¼" W x 6" D

Mask Height on Base: 9 ½"Base: 5 ¼" W x 6" D

Kwaat Yaht Mask
Russell Tate (Nuu-chah-nulth)

The Kwaat Yaht is a magical being from the stories of the Toquaht Nation. It's been said that he ...

The Kwaat Yaht is a magical being from the stories of the Toquaht Nation. It's been said that he once transformed into a wolf to fool the people of the village. The wolves knew he was a human in disguise, though, They became angry and chased him from Toquaht to Long Beach. To slow the wolves down, Kwaat Yaht used his powers to create rivers to stand in their way. This is a story of how rivers came to be on the West Coast of Vancouver Island.

Bukwus Mask
Corey Larocque (Haida)

Known from the stories of the Kwakwaka’wakw people, Bookwus (Wild Man of the Woods) is a supernat...

Known from the stories of the Kwakwaka’wakw people, Bookwus (Wild Man of the Woods) is a supernatural being who lurks on the edges of forests and near streams trying to lure living people and the souls of those who have drowned into his invisible abode. Also known as the Keeper of Drowned Souls, Bookwus forces his victims to eat his ghost food, which causes them to become like him, condemned to eternal hunger and wandering. When danced, Bookwus emits a low wheezing sound which is made by the ...

Yagis Mask
Corey Larocque (Haida)

The Yagis is an ocean deity that feeds off the souls of drowned sailors. These sailors' souls hel...

The Yagis is an ocean deity that feeds off the souls of drowned sailors. These sailors' souls help to guide and protect fishermen.