17/03/2026
Find this Tlingit wooden wolf mask in our TEFAF stand.
It comes from the Northwest coast of what we call Alaska, and dates form circa 1900 or earlier.
It was owned by a British family for generations until it was sold to a collector.
The wooden mask is carved in the form of a wolf’s head, associated with the Eagle moiety of the Tlingit people. The mask is detailed with inlaid abalone shell teeth and eyes, two stylized ears featuring a human or spirit face, and remnants of animal hair applied to the top and sides.
Wolf masks like this were used in ceremonial performances, particularly during potlatch rituals, where they represented clan crests or ancestral spirits. The wolf (Gooch) is a key clan figure within Tlingit social structure and frequently appears in masks, totem poles, and regalia.
The expressive features and surface wear suggest this mask was used, not just made for display. The integration of abalone, which catches light in movement, would have heightened its presence during dance or procession
The great majority of Tlingit masks were created for shamanic use, carved to represent the spirit helpers upon whom the shaman would call for assistance in healing the sick or divining future events. The sculpture of the powerful mask shown here appears to be very much a part of that tradition. The inclusion of movable eye covers, however, is an unusual trait among shaman’s masks. It may be speculated that this mask was created for shamanic use, or was used for potlatch and feast performances dramatizing the great stories of clan history and mythology in the firelight of a winter bighouse.
Find it at TEFAF, stand 146.
