Description:

Native American, Canada, British Columbia, Victoria, Cree People, ca. 1991 CE. "Crooked Beak" by Gene Brabant (Cree, 1946 to present). Painted wood, rattan, and cloth. Signed with artist name, title, and dated 12/91 on interior. A striking wood mask of Crooked Beak of Heaven or galukw'amhl in Kwakwala language, 1 of 4 masks used in the dance of the Hamat'sa or cannibal dance done as part of initiation into Hamatsa or cannibal society - the most prestigious society of the Kwakwaka'wakw. Hand-painted in hues of black, white, and red, the massive vizard displays an elongated snout with huge, openwork nostrils, a wide mouth that opens and shuts, ellipsoid eyes with delineated irises and pupils, and a central crest embellished by rattan fringe. Additional rattan crowns the head, twisting around the periphery and surrounding a skull rattle at the top, and falling from the bottom as a beard. A long strip of gray fabric also extends from the verso of the mask. Size: 25" L x 9" W x 16.8" H (63.5 cm x 22.9 cm x 42.7 cm)

Gene Brabant is a Cree artist from the James Bay community of Victoria, British Columbia, who trained under famous Kwakwaka'wakw artist Tony Hunt from whom he learned the Kwakwaka'wakw traditions and style.

Other Crooked Beak masks can be found at the Metropolitan Museum of Art under accession number 2011.154.4 and the Seattle Art Museum under accession numbers 91.1.1 and 96.97.

Provenance: private Alamo, California, USA collection, before 2000

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#173842

  • Condition: Some light nicks to surface, as well as fraying and losses to rattan. Otherwise, intact and excellent. Inscribed "Kwaq-uillh / CROOKED BEAK / gene brabant / 12/91" on interior.

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