Lyle Tayson (American, 1924 - 2014) "Bella Coola Tribe" Signed lower left. Original Watercolor on Paper.

Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation.

This painting is the original which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 15c Bella Coola Tribe stamp issued September 25, 1980.

In the dead of winter, they would meet as members of secret societies. Some were healing societies, some conjuring societies, some war societies, and some societies for inducting youths or new members. First, initiates were induced into trance-like states for communion with the spirits. Then, by the light of slow-burning fires, the dances would begin. Bella Coola ceremonial masks were among the most dramatic, and often terrifying, of any of the tribes of the Northwest Coast. Although they were nearly always human-like, they were usually large with heavy, fleshy surfaces. The faces bore thick eyebrows and ponderous jowls as enlarged, staring eyes seemed thrust forward from their sockets above thick, full lips. The mouths were frequently ajar, as if arrested in sudden surprise, and tension was built into the expression. Many masks featured complex appendages, moveable parts and faces within faces. Others gyrated, rotated or popped up from secret places within another mask. Thus, the dancers wearing these masks could often tell a whole story just by their proper operation. The Bella Coola had a custom of burning their masks following tribal ceremonies, providing incentive for carvers to create anew the masks needed for each year's dances. Sadly, between 1860 and 1900, whole regions became ravaged by disease and the Bella Coola and their remarkable art forms almost disappeared.

Image Size: 20 x 18 in.
Overall Size: 22.5 x 18.5 in.
Unframed.
(B05942)

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