Native American, Pacific Northwest Coast, Victoria, British Colombia, Kwakwaka'wakw (Kwakiutl) people, ca. mid 20th century CE. A full-body bear dance costume, purportedly carved and danced by L.B. La Fortune in Victoria, British Colombia, Canada in the 1950's. The wooden mask is hand-carved from cedar and painted in vibrant sky blue, teal, cherry red, and white hues. It is attached to a faux brown fur surround. The body is comprised of a faux brown fur material as well, and the fur surrounding the mask attaches to that of the body with snaps. Paws are indicated with black vinyl appliques, and wooden claws are separately carved, so as to articulate quite nicely, and painted with black spots on both sides. Size: 70.25" H (178.4 cm); 79.5" H (201.9 cm) on included custom stand.

In the Native American context, the bear is oftentimes embraced as a medicine bear with magical healing powers who also symbolizes courage, strength, health, and family. Interestingly, various Native American legends from tribes of the Pacific Northwest tell of a bear abducting a chief's daughter. According to the story, this woman of high status had been out in the woods picking berries, when she stepped on some bear dung and cursed aloud, insulting the bear's cleanliness. Two nearby bears who heard her were upset and decided to teach her a lesson. One bear magically transformed himself into a dashing young man who approached this woman, and convinced her to accompany him to his mountain house. Upon falling in love with him, she too became partially bear-like. The two married and had twin cubs - born resembling bears but could metamorphose themselves into a human form just like their father. When the woman's brothers found her, they retaliated by killing her husband. They all then returned to the village, only the two bear sons felt out of place and eventually returned to the forest. All Bear Clan members are said to descend from this woman and her two sons. Hence, it is believed that there is a bear within every one of us, and that we must accept and embrace this in our lives.

Follow this link to see anthropologist Edward Curtis' photograph of a man wearing a full-body bear costume. According to the Library of Congress description, "The bear had the duty of guarding the dance house." - https://www.loc.gov/item/2003652767/

Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection

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#136344

Mask, claws, and body costume are in excellent condition. Paint is still vibrant. Some threads joining the wooden mask to fur surround have loosened.