Early 20th C. Pacific Northwest Nootka Makah Wood Mask

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DAY 2 | Pre-Columbian, Ethnographic, Fossils

By Artemis Gallery

Jun 21, 2018

Set Reminder 2018-06-21 10:00:00 2018-06-21 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : DAY 2 | Pre-Columbian, Ethnographic, Fossils https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/day-2-pre-columbian-ethnographic-fossils-3277
Day 2 of an important 2-day auction featuring exceptional ethnographic art from around the world Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com

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• Lot Description
  Native American, Pacific Northwest Coast, Northern Washington state to Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Makah or Nootka (Nuu-chah-nulth) tribe, ca. early 20th century CE. A large and lovely mask made from hand-carved cedar wood and painted with deep earthtone hues. The face has a notable angled profile with an aquiline nose, flared nostrils, diamond-shaped eyes with pierced pupils, large lips with a horizonal upper cleft, a wide mouth with two rows of bared teeth, and a pointed brow with a trifurcated crest as well as abstract geometric motifs in dark-blue, red, and white pigments. This mask was worn as a part of the "Tluukwanna," or "Four Sacred Wolves" ceremony undertaken by novices of the Nootka Wolf Society. Two small perforations allow for suspension from an accompanying string, and the verso of the mask has been carved out for wear. Custom museum-quality display stand included. Size: 9" W x 12" H (22.9 cm x 30.5 cm); 15.75" H (40 cm) on included custom stand.
  
  The Tluukwanna (Lokwa'na'), or Nootka "Four Sacred Wolves" ritual, is one steeped in tradition but was barely understood by outsiders until the beginning of the 20th century. Edward Sapir, Canada's first professional anthropologist, succinctly explains how, "The wolf ritual may be briefly described as a dramatic performance representing the capture of novices by the wolves, their recapture from the wolves, the exorcism of wolf spirits that they bring back with them, and the performances of dances that the novices are supposed to have been taught by the wolves. The exact details of the course of the ritual differ according to the tribe and family traditions of the Lokwa'nap' or giver of the Lokwa'na'." (Sapir, Edward. "Some Aspects of Nootka Language and Culture." American Anthropologist, vol. 13, no. 1, 1911, p. 20. JSTOR, JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/659806)
  
  Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection; ex-Doris Johnnie estate, Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada
  
  All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
  
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  #133498

  Condition

  Surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age, and fading and minor losses to pigmentation, otherwise intact and excellent. Light earthen deposits within recessed areas, and great traces of pigmentation throughout. Suspension cord repaired with small piece of tape. Old inventory label on verso.
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