Tony Hunt Jr. (Kwakwaka'wakw / Kwakiutl / Kwagiulth), 1961-2017), 1982. An incredibly striking, hand-carved wooden mask rattle made by Tony Hunt Jr., a master carver from a long family line of Kwakiutl mask carvers of British Columbia, Canada – between Vancouver Island and mainland. The face has strong features including bold crossed eyes , a protruding nose with delineated nostrils, thick brows, and an open mouth that doubles as the rattle's handle. Black, white, red, and grey paint were used to decorate the face, accentuating and delineating the features as well as embellishing the visage with motifs that may indicate face paint or tattoos, while brown raffia hair was attached to the top of the head. Size: 4.25" L x 6.25" W x 11.625" H (10.8 cm x 15.9 cm x 29.5 cm); 13.875" H (35.2 cm) on included custom stand.

Tony Hunt Jr.'s obituary in the Victoria, BC, Times Colonist (October 15, 2017) discusses his distinguished heritage and impressive artistic skill: "Tony Hunt Jr. was... part of a renowned family of carvers and artists that includes his grandfather Henry Hunt and his great-grandfather Mungo Martin. His father, Tony Hunt Sr., hereditary chief of the Kwakwaka’wakw people of Fort Rupert, is also an artist, as are his uncles Richard Hunt and Stan Hunt... Hunt’s work is sought around the world and was part of the exhibition Chiefly Feasts that was shown at the Royal B.C. Museum and the Burke museum in Seattle."

Accompanied by collection label that reads, "1982 North West Coast Kwakiutl Indian Rattle by the Master Carver Tony Hunt. The mouth is the handle, one-of-a-kind."

Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection; ex-Watts collection, Chicago, Illinois, USA

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#162780

Slight surface wear with a few areas of abrasion to pigmentation. Indentation on verso occurred prior to being painted, likely created during the carving process. Otherwise, intact and very nice. Collection label on verso. Still contains rattles and creates a lovely percussive sound.