CEREMONIAL MASKS are created in various forms from human portraits to animals to spirits, including transformation masks with moving beaks and jaws. The shapes and styles vary greatly depending upon their purpose and function, and are designed to tell stories and share knowledge. Some can be danced by a single performer while others require an attendant for the mask to be used. Although contemporary masks may push the boundaries of the form, they continue to retain their cultural and historic significance.
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Rainwater Mask
Alvin Mack
$6,000.00 CADAlder wood, Cedar bark, Acrylic paint
“The Rainwater is part of a dance we’ve had for generations called the Thunder Dance and it’s the most powerful dance we have in our Nation. If you think, when the thunder comes, rain always comes right after.” – Alvin Mack, 2020
18 x 8 x 7″ (including cedar bark)
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White Raven Mask
Bert Smith
$7,800.00 CADRed Cedar wood, Cedar bark, Acrylic paint
43 x 36 x 10″ (including cedar bark)
47 x 36 x 16.75″ (including cedar bark & stand)
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Tsonokwa Mask
Raymond Shaw
$3,800.00 CADRed Cedar wood, Horse Hair, Acrylic paint
21 x 15 x 5.5″ (including hair)
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Raven Mask
Robert Saunders
$2,950.00 CADRed Cedar wood, Acrylic paint
19.5 x 19 x 6.5″ (including stand)
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Naikuun (Hawk) Woman Portrait Mask
Vernon Joseph White
$2,400.00 CADYellow cedar wood, Horse Hair, Acrylic paint
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“Huupulth – Portal to the Spirit Realm” Sun Mask
Moy Sutherland
$24,000.00 CADRed Cedar wood, Abalone shell, Horse Hair, Acrylic paint
45 x 41 x 9 (including hair)
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Salmon Dancer Mask
Kelly Robinson
$5,200.00 CADAlder wood, Cedar bark, Cedar rope
Kelly’s inspiration for this exceptionally-styled Salmon Dancer Mask with the Salmon’s open mouth exposing a human face comes from a traditional Nuxalk ceremony, which occurs every spring and is meant to celebrate and honor the first Salmon run of the season.
Due to the widespread importance of Salmon among various coastal indigenous cultures, many First Nations communities throughout the Pacific Northwest Coast have their own variations of these celebrations that are held upon the return of the fish to the rivers surrounding their ancestral lands. The first catch is awarded a high level of symbolic and ceremonial importance, playing a principal role in the feasts and festivities that surround this event. In Nuxalk tradition, the first catch is referred to as the Spring Salmon.
“Every year, we use ceremony to honour the return of our Salmon runs. The first Salmon to make their way up the Bella Coola River is the Spring Salmon. Feasts are given back to the people at this time. A respected member of the people is chosen, then he in return sings and dances once a year for this gathering.”
– Kelly Robinson, 2019
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Hummingbird Mask
Randy Stiglitz
$3,400.00 CADAlder wood, Cedar bark, Acrylic paint, Abalone shell
31.5 x 19.5 x 10″ (including base)
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‘Creature of the Undersea’ Miniature Mask
Reuben Mack
$1,400.00 CADYellow Cedar wood, Beads, Crushed stone, Pencil, Acrylic paint
“This mask was inspired by a frog bowl I’ve been working on. I went out of my comfort zone experimenting with the different colours of the sea. Water from the Bella Coola Inlet, water from the creeks and rivers are painted in my designs. If you look closely, you’ll see sea Eagles and an upside-down face which represents the frog bowl that inspired me to start this piece.” – Reuben Mack, 2019
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Namgis Maxinukw (Killerwhale) Mask
Kevin Daniel Cranmer
$9,000.00 CADRed Cedar wood, Yellow Cedar wood, Copper, Acrylic paint
Articulated
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Raven Mask
Randy Stiglitz
$6,600.00 CADAlder wood, Cedar bark, Acrylic paint
33 x 22.5 x 11.5″ (including base)
30 x 21 x 8.25″
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Raven Mask
Marcus Alfred
$6,800.00 CADRed Cedar wood, Cedar bark, Acrylic paint
Measurements including base.