Tlingit Polychromed Wood Mask

composed of carved wood and pigments, probably a representation of a human/hawk hybrid; pierced twice at each side and tied with hide straps for suspension. 

The Altman Collection, Los Angeles, California

Sold Sotheby's, New York, May 23, 2008, Lot  16

Acquired by the present owner from the above

Ralph C. Altman Memorial Exhibition, The Museum and Laboratories of Ethnic Arts and Technology, (The Fowler Museum), University of California, Los Angeles, 1968

Los Angeles County Museum of Art, March 21-October 20, 1985

Robert Bruce Inverarity, Art of the Northwest Coast, University of California Press, Berkeley, 1950, pl. 67

Symbols of Prestige in Native American Indian Art of the Northwest Coast, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Ethnic Arts Series, no. 3, p. 15, Cat. no. 37

Very good original condition.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This mask was identified by Herbert M. Cole, the organizer of the exhibition Symbols of Prestige in Native American Art of the Northwest Coast as a "Hawk-Man" mask. Two related examples are featured in Allen Wardwell, Native Visions, Monticelli Press, New York, 1996, p. 159, nos. 185 and 186 and are in the Museum fur Volkerkunde, Basel and National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC respectively.