NWC Carved Wood Panel

Northwest coast 20th century AD

Aa traditional Northwest Coast wooden panel carved in the Kwakwaka'wakw style. The mask features distinctive characteristics including: Bold black painted eyebrows, large circular black eyes, a broad mouth with red lips and copper inserts for teeth and red painted nose details.  The object exemplifies traditional Northwest Coast carving techniques, incorporating important design principles like: bilateral symmetry, creating a mirror-like effect from one side of the face to the other and soft "s" and "u" shaped lines, which demonstrate the carver's skill in manipulating wood. The use of found objects, specifically metal elements incorporated into the design, which was a practice that emerged during the fur trade era.

A carving like this was traditionally used in ceremonial dances and potlatches, and may have served as potent manifestations of ancestral spirits and supernatural beings. 

The design suggests it was likely used in traditional winter ceremonials, which reenacted the adventures of hero-ancestors and spirit beings from mythological stories

Dimensions: 13.5" W. x 10.5" H.
Provenance: Ex P H, Duvall WA, acquired 1990s - 2000s