PACIFIC NORTHWEST COAST INDIGENOUS TRANSFORMATION MASK OF THE KWAKWA?KA??WAKW (KWAKIUTL) NATION. Transformation Mask characteristic of the Kwakwa?ka??wakw (Kwakiutl) Nation of the Pacific Northwest Coast. Transformation masks are ceremonial pieces used during the Winter Ceremonial (Tseka) and the Potlatch. They are designed to be opened in a dramatic fashion during a dance, revealing a hidden face inside. This action symbolizes the transformation of a mythical figure-from an animal or bird into an ancestor, a human, or a different spirit being, enacting the origin stories of the Kwakwa?ka??wakw clans. Outer Form (The Open Wings): The two outer panels, which are hinged and now pulled back, likely represent the wings or body of a powerful bird, such as the Thunderbird or a large mythical raven. They are decorated with classic Formline art, featuring bold black, red, and white designs that depict a stylized bird's head and claw/foot motif. Inner Form (The Revealed Face): The central is usually a human ancestor or a lesser, more vulnerable spirit that the outer animal form contains. This face is painted with Formline designs, particularly around the eyes and mouth, to give it a fierce, powerful, or supernatural expression. Estimate $200-300
