Northwest Indigenous art by Kwak'waka'wakw master artist Jimmy Joseph. 28" high cedar rattle with a stand.
A large hand carved and painted rattle with abalone onlays. A Sun mask with Raven rays, a totem pole handle (a wildman and a raven), and a butterfly carved in relief on the back of the Sun's head.
Raven lived in the land of spirits in early times when the world was a watery darkness. The light of the world was kept in a series of bentwood box within each other. An old chief kept it hidden away because he hated people. Raven wanted the ball of light. Being a trickster he was able to disguise himself and win the chief’s trust. He then stole the light and spirited it away. He placed the sun in the sky, and the moon and stars in the night sky.
In those times Butterfly was a companion to Raven. He acted as a scout finding hidden things and revealing secrets.
The Wildman is a shy, secretive being that lives in the forest. He travels between this world and the next world.
