Description:

**This item is heavy/oversized and will require 3rd party shipping. Please inquire about shipping cost prior to bidding.**

Native American / First Nations, Pacific Northwest Coast, Southern British Columbia, Nuxalk (Bella Coola), ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. A beautiful carved wood dance mask in the form of the anthropomorphic sun deity (Alkuntam / Alhkw'ntam) surrounded by hands and faces of the Supernatural Carpenters. This mask was worn by dancers to symbolize the father / creator deity, Alhkw'ntam, who resided in the Sky World and embodied the sun. Alhkw'ntam created 4 supernatural brothers (Masmasalanicw) to help build the rest of the world - and they became known as the Four Carpenters, shaping the plants, animals, and the first humans with their hands. This is a superb antique example that comes in a glass display case. Size of mask: 18.5" Diameter x 3" W (47 cm x 7.6 cm); display case: 29.5" L x 23.5" W (74.9 cm x 59.7 cm)

This item is heavy/oversized and will require 3rd party shipping. Please inquire about shipping cost prior to bidding.

Provenance: private West Jordon, Utah, USA collection, acquired from an antiques sale in Boulder, Colorado, USA; ex-Robert Knight collection, acquired in the 1940s while working on the Alaskan Highway Project

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

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#178497

  • Condition: Exterior wood ring has been repaired with break line on left side, does not affect overall presentation. Some fading and wear to painted pigments and wood, but overall great condition with clear signs of age.

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July 21, 2023 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000