| Spiritmasks
Spiritmtrees |
 This is a spiritmask called a fish mask. The mask would be worn in a dance to hopefully have a healthy fishing season. A halibut and salmon are presented on each side of the mask. The center piece symbolizes the man as the hunter. The small face symbolizes the father or other ancestor who shared their hunting skills passed down though tradition. The bear, wolf, and the orca are also great hunters which give inspiration. The face and figurines are made of either cottonwood bark or soapstone or a combination of the two. The two rings represents the earth and the heavens. The feathers are used for hunting seal. A feather is placed in a icehole and when the feather starts spinning, it shows a seal is coming up for air. The hunter stands ready with a harpoon when it appears. The feathers used for this mask are pheasant feathers. Click on the image to enlarge. |
artist
Jerry Ross
of the "Komakhuk" family
Nome, Alaska |
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Latest News
1-7-06 Sun.
I finished two spiritmasks, feathered and put backboards on them. I got the pics uploaded, here they are...
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