Nootka Land Chief, red cedar, horse tail, by Chief Calvin Hunt

Nootka Land Chief, red cedar, horse tail, by Chief Calvin Hunt

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Another masterfully carved and large piece of Indigenous art 

Articulated Nuu-chah-nulth Land Chief Mask by Calvin Hunt (please take the time to read his biography provided below, it’s very interesting)

Beautifully hand carved out of red cedar, powerful painting giving the mask a rich expression, decorated with brown horse tail, copper eyebrows – and, the mouth is articulated. Please have a look at the image I’m providing from the back, you can see the wooden pegs.... Masterfully carved, signed and dated 2018 at the back. Prepared for wall hanging. A really exquisite piece of authentic Indigenous art.

Measurements: 15" x 9" x 7" (measured without the horse tail)

The Nuu-chah-nulth belief centers in a Creator being as well as spirits whose powers can be used to bring peace and fortune. They believe that all life forms have a spirit, and should therefore be respected and appreciated

Here’s some Nuu-chah-nulth history….

During the heyday of the maritime fur trade in the 1780’s/90’s, Maquinna was the historically important, powerful chief of the Nuu-chah-nulth people of Nootka Sound on the Pacific Northwest Coast. His people are today known as the Mowachaht and reside with their kin, the Muchalaht at Gold River, BC, Canada.

Spanish explorer encountered the Nuu-chah-nulth in 1774 while navigating Nootka Sound. Captain James Cook anchored and first met some Nuu-chah-nulth (meaning “all along the mountains and sea”) peoples in 1778 in Nootka Sound, started trading with them. From 1789–94, the Nuu-chah-nulth became involved in a bitter dispute between the Spanish and British over control of Nootka Sound. Chief Maquinna manipulated and regulated competition between the nations and the dispute was settled in the 1790’s, when Spain agreed to abandon its claims.

Up until 1830, more than 90% of the Nuu-chah-nulth were killed by diseases introduced by Europeans and by cultural turmoil resulting from contact and trading with Westerners. Acquisition of guns intensified warfare, and the population, estimated at 30,000 at first contact, plunged to only about 2,000 in the 1930s. Today, an estimated 4,500 people identifying as having Nuu-chah-nulth ancestry.

Although the Nuu-chah-nulth did not surrender their land on Vancouver Island, the Canadian government created small reserves for them in the late 19th century. Curtailment of hunting and fishing, including prohibition of the vital salmon weir traps, deprived the Nuu-chah-nulth of their traditionally rich economic base.

Today, the Nuu-chah-nulth are again actively involved in the protection and promotion of their rights to hunt and fish on traditional territories. In 2013, the BC Court of Appeal ruled in favor of Nuu-chah-nulth commercial fishing rights. However, more negotiations are expected with the federal government, and particularly the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. The Nuu-chah-nulth are also seeking self-government. In 2011, after negotiating the second modern treaty with the Government of BC, some Nuu-chah-nulth bands, known as the Maa-nulth First Nations became self-governing.

Note: USD amounts estimated based on Bank of Canada average exchange rate, updated weekly, Invoice in CAD, overseas shipping costs $285 CAD added at check-out

We guarantee the authenticity of every piece of art sold through our Gallery !!! 

We do not offer reproductions, imported copies, cheap mass-produced, machine made or so called native-inspired/native-style knock-off pieces.

 

Photos of This Piece

About This Artist

Calvin Hunt, (1956): Chief Tlasutiwalis, Kwaku'l, Fort Rupert and Hereditary Chief Nasnamus, Mowochaht, Friendly Cove is the youngest son of Kwagu’l Hereditary Chief Thomas Hunt, and Emma, the daughter of a great Mowochaht Chief and...Artist bio and other available works »

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