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. While contemporary masks may push the boundaries of the form, they continue to retain their cultural and historic significance.
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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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Supernatural Sea Raven Mask
Douglas David
$3,200.00 CADRed Cedar wood, Cedar rope, Cedar bark, Acrylic paint
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Killerwhale Mask
Kevin Daniel Cranmer
Price upon requestRed Cedar wood, Abalone shell, Copper, Acrylic paint
Articulated
2014
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Grouse Mask
Joe Peters Jr.
Price upon requestRed Cedar wood, Cedar bark, Feathers, Acrylic paint
1985
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Raven Mask
Marcus Alfred
$6,800.00 CADRed Cedar wood, Cedar bark, Acrylic paint
Measurements including base.
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Ancestor Portrait Mask
Henry Green
$8,400.00 CADRed Cedar wood, Abalone shell, Acrylic paint, Horse hair
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Gagiid Mask
Reg Davidson
$11,200.00 CADRed Cedar wood, Yellow Cedar wood, Acrylic paint, Horse hair
Gagiid is a wild, otherworldly creature who has been transformed through a traumatic maritime experience. Some believe that he can be found lurking on the forest edge and near streams, collecting the souls of the drowned and trying to persuade unwitting humans to eat his ghostly food, causing them to become otherworldly like him. However, it is not all doom and gloom – as with any transformation, it is possible for Gagiid to be tamed and re-enter the human world again.
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Eagle of the Deep Mask
Kelly Robinson
$3,700.00 CADRed Cedar wood, Cedar bark, Acrylic paint, Sea Salt