UNIDENTIFIED COAST SALISH ARTIST, Bark or Mat Creaser, c. 2000s

wood and pigment, 4 x 7.25 x 1 in (10.2 x 18.4 x 2.5 cm)
inscribed indistinctly with [artist's?] initials, [S M?]]

LOT 53
ESTIMATE: $200 — $300

Bark creasers or mat creasers, are essential tools in the making of large cattail or tule mats. As the long leaves are stitched together, the creaser is pressed firmly along...

Bark creasers or mat creasers, are essential tools in the making of large cattail or tule mats. As the long leaves are stitched together, the creaser is pressed firmly along the mat needle, folding and compacting the fibres around each line of cord. This strengthens the join, protects the leaves from splitting, and helps create the dense, durable mats used for sleeping, flooring, canoe travel, insulation, partitions, and temporary shelter.

Practical as they are, these tools often become works of sculpture. Here, two long-bodied birds stretch across the creaser, their heads rising at either end as though calling past one another. Projecting beaks, sharply cut eyes, and black-painted details give each bird a vivid presence, while the circular motif at the centre anchors the composition. The two figures balance one another without simply repeating: their differing heads, gestures, and expressions keep the carving animated and slightly unpredictable.

Provenance

An Important Private Collection, Camano Island, WA;
by descent in the family to present Private Collection.

This website uses cookies
This site uses cookies to help make it more useful to you. Please contact us to find out more about our Cookie Policy.

* denotes required fields

We will process the personal data you have supplied in accordance with our privacy policy (available on request). You can unsubscribe or change your preferences at any time by clicking the link in our emails.

Artworks

JOIN

Cookie preferences

Join our mailing list

Artworks

UNIDENTIFIED COAST SALISH ARTIST

Further images

Provenance