Nulamala (Fool) Mask by our late friend Tony Hunt Jr., Kwakiutl art - SOLD

SOLD

• Nation: Kwakwaka' wakw art, Kwakiutl art, native artists Vancouver Island
• Artist: Hunt, Tony Jr. (1961 - 2017)
• Type: Mask

This piece is sold

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Ttrue Indigenous art - don't miss out on this one...

Nulamala (Fool) Mask by our late friend Tony Hunt Jr. from the Kwakwakaw' wakw Nation

Truly a remarkable piece, red cedar, showing highest quality craftsmanship, superb and accurate expression of the Nulamala, with the grinn and the nose - just fabulous!! Beautiful cedar wood, hand painted in the traditional way, reddish horse hair  - just adding to the expression of madness in this piece of true Indigenous Art. 

Measurements: 16" tall, 9" wide, 13" deep, total height incl. hair: 22" (frame shown in some images is not included)

Meaning: The Nułamała “Fool Dancer” are messengers and assistants to the Hamat̕sa and help enforce the laws of the Winter Ceremonies. Membership in the Nułamała Society is hereditary. The Nułamała along with the Grizzly Bear dancers cut and distribute food to make sure that the Hamat̕sa are fed properly. Both societies are the “policemen of the T̕seka Winter Ceremonies”. The Nułamała will attack people by throwing stones, hitting with sticks and even stabbing and killing with lances and war axes.

According to the Kwagu’ł “Fort Rupert Tribe”: Nułamała dancers are initiated by a supernatural people who are called Atłasamx that live on an island floating on a lake inland from Dłaxsiwa’yi. They have enormous noses and their bodies are filthy.The Nułamała when he performs does not dance, but when excited, runs about like madman, throwing stones, knocking people down and making his cry, which is “Wi! Wi! Wi!”. They turn right instead of left and make their circuit around the fire in the opposite direction of other Winter Ceremonies. The distinguishing feature of most Nułamała masks is an exaggerated nose. 

It has a small natural, shallow and non threatening crack or "hairline" as it's called, on the lower face on the left, have a close look, I'm providing close ups.

Just all around a magical piece of art and a real treat for every serious native art collector!!!

Note: USD amounts estimated based on Bank of Canada average exchange rate, updated weekly, Invoice in CAD, no overseas shipping

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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

Tony Hunt (1961 - 2017) was born into a wealth of tradition. His great-grandfather, Mungo Martin has been credited with much of the revitalization of the Kwakwaka'wakw culture in the latter half of this century. His late grandfather, Henry Hunt...Artist bio and other available works »