Lot 404

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Description:

Silus Coon's "Xwi Xwi" original wooden carved mask. Carved in 2016, from the community of Kwakwaka'wakw Nation, Vancouver Island. This is a black and white mask, with red lips, and green accents around the eyes. Carved from yellow cedar, and was valued between $1,900 - $2,400 in 2016. This mask is in excellent condition.

The Xwixwi dance originated with the Salish. Among these people it is an important crest worn by spiritualists who have inherited special powers and assist at all life crisis and social situations- birth, naming, marriage, illness and death- by dancing, in groups of four. According to the myth, the mask's origin was from under a lake, and it was associated with earthquakes and healing.
The Xwixwi came to the Kwakwaka'wakw from the Coast Salish of Comox as a gift. After deciding to wage war to acquire the dance and mask, they were invited as guests of the Comox and freely given the dance and the treasure box of associated gear. The dancer wears the mask of this supernatural being and carries rattles strung of scallop shells and the dance is believed to, "shake the ground and be a certain means of bringing back the Hamat'sa, who is being initiated."
Accoring to the Kwakwaka'wakw, the Xwixwi is the red cod or red snapper. For this reason it has two protruding eyes. When the red cod is pulled out of the water his stomach comes out of his mouth and for this reason the palm of the mask is protruding. When the fish is thrown into the canoe, it beats violently with its tail. This is imitated by the scallop shell rattles. It is claimed that the Xwixwi was first seen at Cape Cod and that at the time when the Ligwilda'xw used to live there.
Masks.

    Dimensions:

  • 7" x 13" x 6 1/2"
  • Artist Name:
  • Silus Coon

Accepted Forms of Payment:

COD (cash on delivery), MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Other, Paypal, Visa, Wire Transfer

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December 28, 2019 11:00 AM EST
Stouffville, ON, CA

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Bid Increments
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$0 $99 $5
$100 $299 $10
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $2,999 $100
$3,000 $9,999 $250
$10,000 $49,999 $500
$50,000 $99,999 $1,000
$100,000 $999,999 $5,000
$1,000,000 + $10,000