Pacific Northwest Coast Tlingit Shaman's Grizzly Tooth Pendant, circa Late 1800s

A wonderfully hand-painted and decorated Native American Hopi Kachina Katsina doll. We believe this was a child's cradle first Kachina doll. It is hand carved from light wood (likel...

A fantastic and somewhat playful mask by the Yup'ik (Yupik) aboriginal, indigenous people of South-Western & South Central Alaska. The Yup'ik people, who are related to the Inuit peoples, have a long history of ceremonial mask making. Yup'ik masks were originally and specifically designed by Shamans and made to be worn by these spiritual leaders in Winter tribal dances and sacred ceremonies. Traditionally, the masks were destroyed or discarded after use in these ceremonies. Very few of these masks survived. After Christian contact in the late 19th century, masked dancing was suppressed and the tradition all but died out. As more outsiders settled in Alaska at the turn of the century, masks were made by the Yup'ik people to sell or trade for necessary goods. It is likely that this mask was created some years later for this purpose. In the 20th century, Yup'ik mask had a profound influence on many renowned surrealist artists including, Max Ernst, Joan Miro, Leonora Carrington, Victor Brauner, and most notably Andre Breton who was an avid collector of Yup'ik masks. This fantastic anthropomorphic mask is carved of lighter wood, hand painted and decorated with pigment, and held together with natural fiber. The mask seems to represent some sort of smiling, benevolent spirit or character with its four eyes, bird beak, and cat-like ears. The mask is from a French collection. We were told that this mask, as well as others in the collection we have listed, was acquired originally in the 1950s-1960s in Alaska and the Yukon territory in Canada but as we have no way to verify or authenticate this. Please note we are listing the masks as decorative and not as actual tribal artifacts...

A wonderfully detailed and decorated wolf figure Kachina doll with fur. Signed by the artist on the base. From a collection of Native American objects an...

A fantastic and somewhat grotesquely strange mask by the Yup'ik (Yupik) aboriginal, indigenous people of South-Western & South Central Alaska. The Yup'ik people, who are related to t...

This old model Salish pole dates to around 1900 and was sold out of the Hudson Bay Fur Trading Co. in Seattle, WA. The pole depicts an inverted killer whale, although the identities of the other figures are unclear. There is a formline human face in profile carved in relief and painted on the front of the base. A rather unusual feature of this pole is the inlaid glass beads in the eyes of the figures and blowhole of the whale. Early model poles sometimes incorporated new, non-traditional materials into their work. A highly unusual and early pole. Northwest Coast cedar totem with original Hudson Bay sticker. Patinated with cabin smoke. 15" PERIOD: Circa 1900 ORIGIN: Northwest Coast SIZE: 15" Family Owned & Operated Cisco’s Gallery deals in the rare, exceptional, and one-of-a-kind pieces that define the history of America and the Old West. Our pieces range from American Indian to Cowboy Western and include original items of everyday life, commerce, art, and warfare that tamed America’s frontier. Our 14,000 square foot gallery opened in 1996 in beautiful Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Personal Service Cisco’s operates on old fashioned values – honesty and integrity, and all of our items are backed by our money back guarantee. We appreciate the opportunity to earn your business. Whether you desire assistance with a jewelry purchase, choosing a gift, identification, or even selling – we hope to be your trusted source. Totems...

Unusual miniature Inuit Tupilak in hand-carved bone or tooth (5.2x2x3.5 cm). It depicts a cat-like mythological being/spirit. It has no signature or markings but in was brought home ...

Northwest Coast Bella Bella totem pole. Portraying three finely carved masks above a bear with elongated tongue wrapping around face. Painted in colors of red, blue and black on natu...

Carved Black Soapstone of Seated Inuit figure, holding a carved bone Narwhal tusk in one hand and a carved bone fish in the other.