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Northwest Coast Bukwus Mask Artist Russell Smith

USD$ 899.99

  • CAD: CAD$ 1,218.36

Out of stock

Description

Fabulous Example of a Vintage  Northwest Coast Mask
For sale is a Northwest Coast Bukwus cedar mask.
This excellently carved mask has pierced eyes, nose, and mouth with a nice patina leading me to believe it may have been used in ceremonies.
The mask is adorned with cedar bark hair and painted in the traditional colors of black, red, and green.
Bukwus also known as wild man of the woods, is a supernatural being who seeks lost souls to inhabit.
His look is skeletal, humanoid face with a large nose, extended eyebrows, and a long mouth with teeth.
This mask is a fine example of a Bukwus mask, in fact I have never seen teeth carved like this.  It takes an experienced carver to carve the wood this thin.
The measurements are 8 X 10 inches and is in good used condition with a slight chip on the nose and upper lip.
It is signed “Bukwus Awasatlas Kwakiutl Alter Bay, B.C. 84”.
Awasatlas is the native name for master carver Russell Smith.
Kwakwaka’wakwRussell Smith (b. 1950) was born in the village of Alert Bay, BC. He is the direct descendant of six chieftain bloodlines. His maternal genealogy descends from the great Chief Abraham. Russell’s maternal grandfather was Isaac Abraham, Chief of the Walas Kwakiutl at Fort Rupert. Edith Dawson, his maternal grandmother was the daughter of Chief Amos Dawson of the Mamalekala tribe of Village Island.
Alert Bay has some of the best carvers on the West Coast.
 I have been selling authentic native art on line since 1999 so buy with confidence.
Thank you for looking and please follow my store as new art is added often.

Additional information

Artist

Russel Smith

Material

Cedar, Cedar Bark, Polychrome

Region / Origin

Canada

Tribal Affiliation

Kwakuitl