This powerful First Nations Tsoonakwa (or Tsonoquah / Tsunukwa) “Wild Woman” mask gazes from glittering Mother-of-Pearl inlay eyes. Features horsehair and hand-worked traditional red cedar bark trim.

This mask measures approximately 14″ wide by 14″ high and 8″ deep. Her hair and the cedar bark trim falls to 38″ long. Priced at $4250. Signed by the artist – a well known and highly collected carver raised on the Capilano Reserve, British Columbia, Canada.

Tsoonakwa, Tsonoqua, Tsonokwa, Basket Ogress, is a figure in Kwakwaka’wakw mythology and Nuu-chah-nulth mythology .

She is described as having bedraggled hair. In masks and totem pole images she is shown with bright red pursed lips because she is said to give off the call “Hu!” and repeat her own name slowly and constantly.

She is feared by children, because she is also known as an ogress who steals children and carries them home in her basket to eat. This legend helped keep youngsters close to the camp at night!