VAL JONES, KWAKWA̱KA̱ʼWAKW [?], Minature G̲a̱luḵwiwe (Crooked Beak of Heaven) Hamatsa Mask, 1988

cedar wood, hammered cedar bark, and acrylic paint, 11 x 9 x 3.25 in (27.9 x 22.9 x 8.3 cm)
signed and dated, "VAL / Jones / 88".

LOT 60
ESTIMATE: $400 — $600

This miniature headdress represents the G̲a̱luḵwiwe (Crooked Beak of Heaven), one of the three Supernatural Man-eating Birds associated with the Hamat'sa, the most important of the Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw secret societies. Initiates acquire the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of the society through an arduous process of physical and mental training and ceremonial participation.

The headdress powerfully evokes the masks featured in the Ha̱msa̱mala, the spectacular third part of the Hamat'sa ritual. G̲a̱luḵwiwe, together with Huxwhukw (Huxwhukw of Heaven, also rendered Hok Hok, Hohokw, or Huk Huk), is among the formidable supernatural bird attendants of Baxwbakwalanuxwsiwe’, the Cannibal or Man-Eater at the North End of the World.

In Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw tradition, these masks adhere to established conventions of form and are traditionally trimmed with shredded cedar bark. The individual birds are distinguished both by their physical characteristics and by their particular cries during the dance. On full-sized dance masks, the long beaks are hinged so that the jaws can be opened and closed by means of a cord, adding sound, movement, and considerable theatrical force to their appearance in ceremony.

Provenance

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

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VAL JONES, KWAKWA̱KA̱ʼWAKW [?]

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