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THBVintage Pacific Northwest Kwakiutl Wood Wild Woman Mask
Lot 125
About Seller
Artemis Gallery
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$1,000 - $1,500
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| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,500 |
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| $200,000 | $20,000 |
About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
Jul 1, 2021
Set Reminder
2021-07-01 10:00:00
2021-07-01 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Antiquities | Asian | Ethnographic Art
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/antiquities-asian-ethnographic-art-7148
Featuring classical antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art from cultures encompassing the globe. Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern, Asian, Pre-Columbian, Native American, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Spanish Colonial, Russian, Fossils, Fine Art, more! All legally acquired, legal to sell. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Featuring classical antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art from cultures encompassing the globe. Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern, Asian, Pre-Columbian, Native American, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Spanish Colonial, Russian, Fossils, Fine Art, more! All legally acquired, legal to sell. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (345)
- Lot Description
Native American, Pacific Northwest, Kwakwaka'wakw (Kwakiutl) people, ca. second half of 20th century CE, signed Alfred Robertson (b. August 17, 1950). A stunning wood mask of Dzunukwa (or Dzonokwa) or Wild Woman, skillfully hand-carved and painted the Kwakwaka'wakw First Nations Master artist Alfred Robertson. Adorned with hues of scarlet and black on golden woodgrain, the stylized visage displays a projecting chin, full, risen lips held open as though singing or chanting, a prominent nose with wide nostrils, sunken eyes, positioned just barely open so the wearer can see, thick, arched brows, and a protruding forehead. A series of 7 tufts of lengthy, mocha-hued horsehair sprout from the top of the vizard, cascading down the front of her face and accentuating her "wild" appearance. Size: 5.75" W x 9.5" H (14.6 cm x 24.1 cm)
Dzunukwa is a mythical female being said to cause nightmares and carry children away to her home in the forest to eat them. Like beasts such as Bigfoot or the Sasquatch, she is believed to be an anthropomorphic giant with a huge body and head, boney, black face, bushy unkempt hair, and pursed lips. Her prominent red lips, as seen in this example, are emphasized to indicate her blood thirstiness and her cry “Hu! Hu!” During the winter ceremonies, masked dancers represent a number of spiritual beings, including Dzunukwa, who is portrayed as shaggy, lumbering, sleepy, and vain. She always carries a basket to collect children and must be assisted by a rope that leads from the door to her seat when she enters the longhouse for the winter ceremony, due to her clumsiness. Though frightening, it is important to note that she is capable of providing wealth and power. If a chief wants his audience to respect and fear him, as they fear Dzunukwa, he wears her mask while speaking to the people. It is believed that those who are able to outsmart Dzunukwa and reach her house, will leave with treasures like dried meats, animal skins, dance privileges and the "water of life," which is capable of reviving the dead.
Alfred Robertson was born in Kingcome Inlet, British Columbia in 1950. He was taught to carve by his father, William Robertson, and has carved with his brother, Sampson Robertson. He typically carves in yellow or red cedar wood and now resides in Nanaimo, where he continues to carve and teach carving skills to elementary school children.
Provenance: private Lakewood, Colorado, USA collection, acquired on May 10, 1995; ex-JAAM Original Art, Nanaimo, 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.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
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#165047Verso inscribed "Alfred Robertson / Kingcome Inlet BC. / Kwak. / WILD WOMAN." Otherwise, intact and excellent with impressive remaining pigments. Pair of hooks with suspension wire on verso.Condition
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