Northwest Coast Painted Wood Mask

Description:

Northwest Coast Painted Wood Mask, Kwakiutl, Tsonoqua, c. late 19th century, the cedar form with projecting mouth, sunken round eyes, and pronounced cheeks and brow line, attached ears and hair moustache, sight holes near nose bridge, red and white painted details on a black ground, possibly split and carved in two pieces, (cracks, wood loss),ht. 12 in.

Provenance: Collected by Garnet West in Alert Bay from R. Scott, British Columbia Packers Ltd. 9, 4, 40, "...Mr. Newcombe says it is quite old and rather a freak. May have been made to show the family were not in good standing in the society, it is unusual to find one made in more than one piece... Tsonoqua wanders thru the woods making a 'Hoo-hoo' sound attracting little children that she ate...."
Estimate $8,000-12,000

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