Vintage Pugwis (Sea Monster) Mask by George Hunt Jr., Kwakwaka'wakw

Vintage Pugwis (Sea Monster) Mask, c. 1970by George Hunt Jr., Kwakwaka'wakw First Nationred cedar, stain11" high x 8.75" wide x 7.5" deepSigned: Kwakiutl Puqwis Mask - Man From the Bottom of the SeaPugwis is a part of the Sea Monster ‘Namxiyalegiyu Dances During Tła’sala Ceremonies. The Chief of the Sea, Kumugwe, has many minions who carry out his bidding. Pugwis is the liason between the human world and the sea monster supernatural world, a spirit that takes the form of a human with a fish-like face, large teeth, and gills. This is a very early mask by George Hunt Jr. and is in the style of the early masks by his elders George Hunt Sr. and Henry Hunt.  George Hunt Jr. is a Northwest Coast Kwakwaka’wakw Indian, born April 30, 1958 in Campbell River, British Columbia. His Kwakwaka’wakw name “Nas-u-niz” means Light Beyond the World, and he carries the traditional chief’s name Nagedzi-Yathlawalth, passed down from his grandfather Chief Tommy Hunt, to his father, Chief George Hunt Sr., and