Deer Mask

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Cecil Dawson ''Deer'' Mask

NOS Beautiful, original and signed 18 inches long by 7 inch wide and 14 inch deep including horns with his depiction of ''Deer'' in the style of the Kwakuitl nation .

This beautiful 2017 cedar ceremonial mask is adorned with deer fur on top of the head and deer horns and is signed by Hereditary Chief and artist Cecil Dawson.

Origin of the Deer. 2

He saw Deer sharpening shells. "What is that?" said Q!â'nêqi?laxu. "Yî! you are the only one who does not know that Q!â'nêqi?laxu, who is going to set things right, is coming."--"Give it to me, and let me see it, friend!"



 Then (Deer) gave them to Q!â'nêqi?laxu. He took the shells. "That is nice. Turn your face this way!" Then he put them on his head. He rubbed the ground dust on him. "Turn your back this way!" Then (Deer) turned his back to him. Then he rubbed the ground dust on his back. "Go, jump away! You shall be the deer of later man." Then he jumped and became a deer.

Wood Carver, Painter, First Nations, Pryrographic Woodburner

Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada • Kwakuitl Nation

Born into a family of artists, Cecil Dawson began his artistic career at a very young age. His grandfather Jimmy Dick, a totem and mask carver, taught Cecil the intricacies of carving. Cecil also spent time under the tutelage of his cousin, mask carver Simon Dick. Other masters who influenced Cecil's artistic gifts were his great uncles Willie Seaweed, Henry Speck, and Dick Hawkins.

Cecil is from the Kwakwaka'wakw First Nation. His father is head chief of the Mountain Goat Hunter clan and his mother comes from the Wolf clan. Cecil's cultural involvement is important to him; he is a historian and an initiated Hamatsa dancer.

Cecil's great labour of love is to replicate his family's masks and bring them back into ceremonial use once again. By doing so, he honours his cultural and traditional values. Cecil has a strong sense of propriety and will not copy from a book. His pieces are unique and to his own style, demonstrating a deeply rooted understanding of his culture.