Gunakadeit Forehead Mask
Gunakadeit Mask Carving Progress / photo: Ian Tetzner
Gunakadeit Forehead Mask, carved from yellow cedar, Abalone, shell, horsehair, and deer hide. Gunakadeit is a Tlingit legend of a sea monster, a young man wore it’s skin to give him super natural powers. He used it’s powers to provide food for his village who was suffering from famine, and to appease his mother-in-law who had deemed him lazy. It represents “good fortune” and “prosperity” to those who see it.
Pre-paint - yellow cedar
Gunakadeit Rear Head Cover - Human Woman Representing the “Mother-in-law” - Deer hide
My Son Elias holding the finished piece