Frontlets

Yew wood, Abalone shell, Acrylic paint

6.5 x 6.5 x 3″ (Frontlet)

A frontlet is a forehead mask attached to a woven headpiece.  It is worn by chiefs and high-ranking individuals as a display of crests and status.  Frontlets are often decorated with materials that are symbols of wealth and power: abalone shell, operculum shell, sea lion whiskers, feathers and/or ermine pelts.

The Hawk takes its place in the spiritual world of the supernatural and inspires creative designs for masks, rattles and jewelry. A Hawk man or woman are transformation beings depicted with largely human features and can be distinguished by a curled beak which often curves to meet the tip of the lower jaw.