A KWAKIUTIL POLYCHROMED WOOD HEADDRESS, NORTH WEST COAST, CANADA,

probably depicting a raven, carved with a pronounced and slightly parted hooked beak, pointed oval eye rims enclosing pupils inlaid with plaques of abalone, and short rounded ears, the nostrils and brows overlaid with copper, the facial surface painted in red, blue and black pigments against the natural ground; pierced on the periphery for inserts

Jerome Gould, Los Angeles
Private collection

There is significant paint loss and crazing to the turquoise painted area and slight scratches to the copper panels. There is a small area of in filling to the top of the hooked beak on the right hand side of the mask, otherwise it appears in good and stable 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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Cf. For an example of this type of headress see Bill Holm, Spirit and Ancestor: A Century of Northwest Coast Indian Art at the Burke Museum, University of Washington Press, Seattle and London, 1987, p.110, illus. p.111

Holm says: "The second mask worn by Joe Seaweed in the Great Mask Dance is the Kolus, a variety of thunderbird whose body is covered with thick, white down. Actually a forehead mask or headdress, the Kolus mask leaves the wearer's face exposed. When he first dons the mask, the dancer raises the borders of his button blanket up to conceal it, then lowers them under the bird's mandible so that his own face is concealed. He cocks his head to one side, slowly sweeping its piercing eye across the house, then tilts and reverses his swing as the song describes the Kolus, calling it 'Screecher Mask'. Hunched shoulders and falling folds of blanket imitate the Kolus' great wings."