Large Dzunukwa or Tsonoqua Mask
Dzunuk'wa Mask by Calvin Hunt
Hand-carved in red cedar, this oversized mask is painted in black and red acrylic. Horsehair adorns the face. The inside of the mask has a foam mount that enabled this mask to be danced. The mask is approximately 24" (62cm) in length, 18½" (47cm) wide, and 12" (31cm) in depth.
In story, ceremony and art, Dzunuk'wa is larger than life. Calvin Hunt’s sizeable Dzunuk'wa mask reflects the magnitude and import of this supernatural being that has appeared for centuries in Kwakwaka’wakw culture and continues to the present day.
This mask, worn in Calvin Hunt’s 2019 potlatch in Fort Rupert, was painted differently and used as a Wind Chief in the presentation of “Earthquake.” As Calvin Hunt explained, “It originally was a Dzunuk’wa, then I used it as a Wind Chief, and then I made it back into a Dzunuk’wa! This practice is often done in our potlatches.”
Sometimes referred to as a “Giant of the Woods” or “Wild Woman of the Woods,” Dzunuk'wa is a female member of a large family of giants who resided in far-away mountains and forests. Often described as an “ogress,” this supernatural creature appears with a black body, her head covered with bushy unkempt hair, large ears on the sides of her head and pendulous breasts. Dzunuk'wa is hairy like a bear and her mask-like face has recessed eyes, hollowed cheeks, and pursed protruding lips. From outside the big house, on the forest side, you can hear her coming: she cries, “Huuu! Huuu!”
Dzunuk'wa is a terrifying and threatening being who roams the forest and steals children who have disobediently wandered into the woods. She covers their eyes with pitch, puts them in a huge basket on her back, and takes them back to her home where she eats them. The children usually outwit her because she is nearsighted, vain, not very bright, and clumsy. Still, the story is a deterrent to anyone venturing too far away from the village.
Occasionally she may be festooned with hemlock decorations, symbols of her deep forest home. As a dancer, Dzunuk'wa comes into the big house as a lumbering shaggy creature with half-closed eyes She may appear in both the Tła’sala (Peace Dance) or the Tseka (Red Cedar Bark) ceremonies. In the T’seka she never seems awake enough to dance the normal 4 circuits around the fire. She stagers around the central fire in the wrong direction. She may pause from time to time to scoop something from the floor and swing her arms over her head as if to deposit something in her basket. She is usually weary and rubs her sleepy eyes. She sometimes falls asleep even as she is circumnavigating the dance floor. When she’s escorted to her seat, she generally falls asleep.
Dzunuk'wa can also be a benevolent being, bestowing some of her treasures on those fortunate enough to befriend her—gifts such as a self-paddling canoe, good fortune, or even K’wala’sta, the “Water of Life” that could restore health and even bring the dead back to life. Dzunuk'wa is also a bringer of wealth, a role that is emphasized in some ceremonies when she carries a basket of coppers to be distributed by a Chief or broken for a rival chief. Used as a crest, she is associated with great wealth and power.—Carol Sheehan—
Shipping Information
We ship internationally!
Free shipping to the USA and Canada.
The Shipping times mentioned below are estimates for orders that we have in our inventory and are not guaranteed . Shipping to the USA or other international locations may be delayed due to national customs organizations, especially now due to the COVID-19 impact. These delays are not included in the shipping estimates mentioned and are out of our control.
If you have a specific shipping / delivery deadline, please call or email us, to make sure we have the item that you would like to order in stock.
Custom orders or orders for items that we don’t have in our inventory, or don’t have the exact size in stock, will take longer. It usually takes 2 – 4 weeks depending on the individual item and artist, to have individual items carved. Custom orders may take somewhat longer.
International Shipping - items may be subject to customs processing depending on the item's declared value.
Sellers set the item's declared value and must comply with customs declaration laws.
As the buyer, you should be aware of possible:
- delays from customs inspection.
- import duties and taxes which buyers must pay.
- brokerage fees payable at the point of delivery.
Your country's customs office can offer more details.
Regular Shipping:
We usually use Canada Post services without tracking information for our regular shipping option. The delivery standards for surface/air shipping are usually 2 - 9 business days (Canada), 5 - 12 business days (USA), 6 - 35 business days (Europe) and 6-35 business days to the other continents. If your shipping address is remote, delivery times may increase. These delivery standards are estimates and are not guaranteed.
Canada Post International Parcel Surface or Priority Worldwide Express Shipments:
If you would like to find a faster priority / express shipping service, than the ones mentioned in the shopping cart, or if shipping times are less important than the cost, please contact us for a custom shipping quote. Delivery dates mentioned below are approximations that do not include delays due to International Customs or unforeseen circumstances. The delivery standards for Priority™ Worldwide( Usually through FedEx ) are usually 2-3 business days (USA), 3-5 business days (Europe) and 4-6 business days to the other continents. The delivery standards for International Parcel Surface can be up to 7 weeks. If your shipping address is remote, delivery times may increase. These delivery standards are estimates and are not guaranteed.
Canada Post shipping services with tracking numbers can be tracked at the following website: http://www.canadapost.ca/cpotools/apps/track/personal/findByTrackNumber?execution=e1s1
Return/Refund Policy
Returns / Cancellation of Custom Orders
If for some reason you are not 100 percent satisfied with the piece of art received, please contact us before you return it. We offer you the opportunity to return it, if you inform us within the first five days after delivery, that you would like to return it.
This offer is under the condition that it is not a custom order, it was not worn, it is in the same condition it was originally shipped and we are informed about the return, before it is shipped back. We will send you a return confirmation.
Custom orders or personalized artwork (with personal message/engraving) are not returnable. Down payments for custom orders are also not refundable, if the artwork has been started.
If you return the item / items from outside of Canada, make sure you specify on the description for customs that it is a return, as well as that the item is made in Canada.
After receiving the returned piece of art, we will refund the full purchase price minus the actual shipping costs and any customs and/or brokerage fees we were charged. Customs and brokerage fees can usually be evaded if you return your purchase with your national postal service. Using FedEx, UPS or any other private shipping company will often lead to customs and/or brokerage fees.
We do accept that for Christmas gifts bought in November and December, the delivery date for our return policy will be December 25th, instead of the actual date your order is delivered. Please contact us on or before December 30th, if you would like to return or exchange your purchase.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging.
To complete your return, we require a receipt or proof of purchase.
Refunds (if applicable)
Once your return is received and inspected, we will send you an email to notify you that we have received your returned item. If everything is ok, we will also notify you of your refund.
If you are approved, then your refund will be processed, and a credit will automatically be applied to your credit card or original method of payment, within a certain amount of days.
Late or missing refunds (if applicable)
If you haven’t received a refund yet, first check your bank account again.
Then contact your credit card company, it may take some time before your refund is officially posted.
Next contact your bank. There is often some processing time before a refund is posted.
If you’ve done all of this and you still have not received your refund yet, please contact us at info@spiritsofthewestcoast.com.
Exchanges (if applicable)
We only replace items if they are defective or damaged at delivery. If you need to exchange it for the same item, send us an email at info@spiritsofthewestcoast.com and send your item to:
Spirits of the West Coast Art Gallery, 2926 Back Road, Courtenay, British Columbia, V9N 9G9, Canada.
Shipping
To return your product, you should mail your product to:
Spirits of the West Coast Art Gallery, 2926 Back Road, Courtenay, British Columbia, V9N9G9, Canada
You will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. If you receive a refund, the original cost of shipping it to you will be deducted from your refund.
Always use a trackable shipping service and purchase shipping insurance.
If you return the item / items from outside of Canada, make sure you specify on the description for customs that it is a return, as well as that the item is made in Canada.
We can't guarantee that we will receive your returned item.