NA-3721. A NORTHWEST COAST CEREMONIAL MASK FROM THE ANDY WARHOL COLLECTION
This 19th Century mask
from the Nuu-Chah-Nulth (Nootka) Tribe was used extensively in Native Canadian
Ceremonies on Vancouver Island.
It represents a type compared in Kwakwaka'wakw (Kwakiutl) tribal lore to Bakwas,
or "The Wild Man of the Woods". The carving
and pigments are from a significant artist of this era. The old pigments are
well preserved without any perceived restoration.
The black painted hide eye covers were manipulated by the dancer during the
ceremonial by strings behind the mask. The eyes show
beneath the lid covers, revealing excellent and sensitive carving in a dramatic
fashion, of which drama was the focus
during the ceremonials. This mask comes with a custom metal stand.
Dimensions
Height: 10.75 inches; 27.3 cm.
Artist or Maker
Unknown Nuu-Chah-Nulth Artist of the 19th Century.
Medium
Wood, Hide, Native & Trade Pigments.
Date
3rd to 4th Quarter of the 19th Century.
Condition Report
Normal wear and tear for a 150+ year old mask. Fine patina, much evidence
of native usage.
SOLD
Exhibited
Sotheby's New York, April 1988.
Literature
The Andy Warhol Collection of American Indian Art, Sotheby's, New York, April
28th, 1988.
Provenance
Ex-Collection of Andy Warhol.
Notes
Andy Warhol's property was highly respected when it came to auction in 1988.
This is a fine example of
a well preserved Nootka mask, although usually destroyed after a few uses.