32" Whale Portrait Mask, by Kwakiulth Chief David Mungo Knox

• Nation: Kwakwaka' wakw art, Kwakiutl art, native artists Vancouver Island
• Artist: Knox, David Mungo (Hereditary Chief)
• Type: Mask

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Excellent piece of Indigenous Art and easy recognizable as Chief David's art:

WHALE Portrait MASK by Hereditary Chief David Mungo Knox from the Kwakwaka'wakw First Nations on Vancouver Island. 

Gorgeous piece! Large! red cedar, decorated with cedar bark, eyes and tongue are made from copper. Really impressive. The painting is clean, the expression powerful. Just everything you are looking for in a high quality piece of Art. Signed on the inside, prepared for wall hanging. 

Measurements: 32" wide, 17" tall, approx. 7" deep, the face itself is 11" x 10" (81.5 cm x 43 cm x 18 cm, face: 28 cm x 25.5 cm)

Meaning: The killer whale is a symbol for romance and harmony as Whales mate for life. The Whale is very family oriented and known to travel in large groups, never to be alone. They symbolize great luck and happiness, community and protection. They are a known to always be working together, take care of each other and to always help and protect each other.

Legend: The legend of the Killer Whale is a tale of Natcitlaneh who was abandoned on an island by his brothers-in-law who were jealous of his prowess as a hunter. He was rescued by the Sea Lions and taken to their village in a cave where he healed their Chief. In gratitude, the Sea Lions gave him supernatural powers enabling him to carve eight wooden Killer Whales. These Whales came to life when they were placed in the sea and avenged him by killing his brothers-in-law. As a mark of respect, Natcitlaneh built a house and named it Killer Whale House. According to the legend, the ancestors visited the house located at the bottom of the ocean to obtain rights to use the Killer Whale as a crest.

Note: USD amounts estimated based on Bank of Canada average exchange rate, updated weekly, Invoice in CAD, overseas shipping costs ($185 CAD) added at check-out.

 

Photos of This Piece

About This Artist

Hereditary Chief David Mungo Knox is a member of the Kwakiulth First Nations. He is the great-grandson of Chief Mungo Martin and comes from a great line of Hereditary Chiefs, Master carvers and skilled dancers. He started his carving career by...Artist bio and other available works »