Indigenous art by a Kwak'waka'wakw artist. The red cedar mask itself is 13" long. It's painted white, surrounded by cedar rope also painted white, and dressed with white feathers and whitish horse hair.
Pookmis alternatively ‘nearly drowned man’ or ‘wild man of the sea’ is a Nuu Chah Nulth mask. This version was inspired by a Pookmis mask created by Beau Dick.
Pookmis is a sprit of a drowned whaler, a sea spirit in human form, and a keeper of drowned souls. It has a fish-like face with gills, is painted ghostly white, and has pursed lips indicating the ‘Ooo Ooo” sound it makes. A similar spirit exists among the Haida called Gagiid, and among the Tlingit known as Land Otter.
Native artist's bio included with purchase.
