Mask - Raven "Here Comes the Sun" by Jerry Laktonen (Alutiiq) SOLD

Inspired by the traditional Tlingit legend of "How Raven Stole the Sun," and the Beatles, Jerry Laktonen created his first Raven mask in the late 1990s.  One of his most popular designs, Jerry always enjoys playing with different variations, from the use of fiber-optic wire instead of feathers, to this one in which the feathers stick out perpendicular to the face.  The face is carved from red cedar, and the feathers are dyed goose breast feathers.

In the legend, Raven tricks a selfish chief who has the stars, moon and sun in boxes in his house, into opening the boxes, releasing them into the sky.  Trapped by the angry Chief in the house, Raven escaped through a smoke hole, turning himself black.  This Raven is carrying the sun, a piece of bright yellow amber, in his long beak. 

Jerry Laktonen is an Alutiiq artist who is reviving historic styles of masks and paddles from his Alaskan Native heritage.

Width of mask face 12", width with feathers 18"