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Indians 101: Tlingit Copper and Raven Transformation Mask (photo diary) [1]
['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']
Date: 2025-07-24
The Tlingit are an Alaska Native people whose aboriginal homelands stretched along the Pacific coast for more than 400 miles. The Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture in Spokane, Washington had a special exhibition, Raven and the Box of Daylight, featuring the work of Tlingit glass artist Preston Singeltary.
Singletary works in the medium of glass and his works reflect the cultural heritage of Tlingit sculpture. According to MAC:
“Primarily known for his celebration of Tlingit art and design, Singletary explores new ways of working with glass inspired by Tlingit design principles. Tlingit objects were traditionally used to show wealth and tell stories by representing elements of the natural world, as well as the histories of individual families.”
Tin.áa (Copper)
Made in 2018; cast and sand-carved glass; steel mount
One of the important ceremonial objects associated with the Northwest Coast potlatch is the copper. This is a shield-like sheet of beaten copper which is often decorated with indented designs. The copper symbolically represents the prestige of the ancestors as well as current leaders. While the coppers are symbols of great wealth, they have powerful ceremonial meanings as well.
L’axkeit (Raven Transformation Mask)
Made in 2007; blown and sand-carved glass, steel mount
The people of the Northwest Coast are well known for their ceremonial masks.Masks represent the animals and creatures of the four dimensions of the cosmos: the Sky World, the Mortal World, the Undersea World, and the Spirit World.
One of the interesting kinds of masks used in the Northwest Coast is the transformation mask which involves more than one identity. The most spectacular form of the transformation mask has a number of moving parts. In her book Kwakiutl Art, Audrey Hawthorn explains:
“When certain strings were pulled by the dancer, the external shell of the mask split, usually into four sections, sometimes into two. These pieces of the external covering continued to separate until the inner character was revealed, suspended in their center.”
Note: These photographs were taken on July 11, 2025.
More American Indian Museum stories
Indians 101: Baskets Inside the Clan House (museum exhibition)
Indians 101: Carved screen with Haida stories (museum exhibition)
Indians 101: Northwest Coast Killer Whale crests (museum exhibit)
Indians 101: Killer Whale Potlatch Feast Bowl (museum exhibit)
Indians 101: Northwest Coast Textiles (Photo Diary)
Indians 101: Northwest Coast Carvings (Photo Diary)
Indians 101: Northwest Coast Masks (Photo Diary)
Indians 101: Tlingit clan hats (photo diary)
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