Wolf Moon by Mervin Child - SOLD

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• Nation: Kwakwaka' wakw art, Kwakiutl art, native artists Vancouver Island
• Artist: Child, Mervyn
• Type: Mask

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Superb!!!! The moon's face is not mounted on top - it's fully handcarved out of one solid piece of red cedar!!!

Large WOLF MOON by Mervin Child - have a close look at this masterpiece.

The January full moon is called the Wolf Moon. Wolves howl to communicate over long distances both in North America and in Europe. It is a way of saying “here I am” to the rest of the pack or “stay away” to intruders. While an average howl from a single wolf lasts from 3 to 7 seconds, a chorus by a pack can last from 30 to 120 seconds and longer during the breeding season in January/February. So wolves are particularly loud and vocal in the first months of the year, which is why First Nations people associated the month of January with howling wolves and called it the Wolf moon.

Mervin used a solid piece of cedar - AND...have a close look, it's ONE PIECE!!! The mask of the moon is NOT mounted on top which shows highest quality craftsmanship!! The rim is fully carved, showing WOLVES - the painting is absolutely stunning, clean, deep lines, the traditional painting in black and red still shows off the beautiful grain and color of the cedar. 

-...AND.... now look at the back - isn't that stunning???? Even the back is painted in great detail - 

The back shows the frog, its tongue extended which stands for the passage of power and knowledge, the animal is the source of power. 

Here's some History: The image is mostly seen on dance rattles like the raven rattle. The first known raven rattle to the outside world was acquired by Russians from the Alaska Tlingit’s, around 1800 but tradition among tribes places the Raven rattle’s origin with the Niska Indians, a Tsimshian-speaking people of BC. The rattles “traveled” down the coast and over time, the rattles could be found all along the Northwest Coast - For the Kwakiulth First Nations, these raven (shaman) rattles also are of high importance – and very prominent in most ceremonies. The main figure is a raven with a slightly open beak – the tail of the raven is the handle. On it’s back is the frog and guardian spirit, shown as human-like figure with the extended tongue....

Measurements: ca. 30" diameter

Photos of This Piece

About This Artist

Mervyn Child was born in 1955 in the village of Tsakis, or Fort Rupert, at the North end of Vancouver Island, which he still calls home. Mervyn is a member of the Kwakwaka’wakw tribe, but also has some Tlingit and Nuu Chah Nulth...Artist bio and other available works »