#38 • Northwest Coast Native Formline Portrait Mask – Glen Rabena

Part of June 2026 Premier Auction (live auction by Alaska Premier Auctions & Appraisals)

High bid $800.00

Status: Sold

Category: Ethnographic Objects

A Pacific Northwest Coast mask by carver Glen Rabena (b. 1953), signed en verso and executed in a refined black and red formline design over a realistically modeled human face. Bold painted elements articulate the brow, cheeks, chin, and forehead, while a second pair of large stylized animal eyes spans the crown, creating a sophisticated interplay between human and supernatural imagery characteristic of Northwest Coast visual traditions. The broad nose, carefully carved ears, expressive upward-looking eyes, and neatly rendered teeth framed by vivid red lips lend the work an engaging sculptural presence balanced by Rabena's disciplined use of negative space and flowing formline. Rabena began carving in 1970 and studied at the Gitanmaax School of Northwest Coast Art at K'san before working alongside celebrated Haida artist Robert Davidson. In 1987, Davidson's father formally adopted Rabena into the Haida Eagle Clan, recognizing his dedication to Northwest Coast carving traditions. Originally from Wapato, Washington, Rabena is now based on Hornby Island, British Columbia, where his carvings continue to reflect a thoughtful synthesis of traditional formline design and accomplished contemporary craftsmanship. Signed en verso by the artist and prepared for hanging. Measures approximately 9.5 inches wide by 5.75 inches deep by 10.25 inches high. Provenance: Consigned directly by the Bruce Beasley Foundation, established by internationally acclaimed American sculptor Bruce Beasley (b. 1939), whose works are represented in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and numerous other institutions worldwide. The Foundation is dedicated to advancing the appreciation and study of sculpture and three-dimensional art. 100% of the net proceeds from the sale of this lot will be donated to the Alaska Native Heritage Center, supporting its mission to preserve, celebrate, and share the diverse cultures, traditions, languages, and artistic heritage of Alaska Native peoples through education, cultural programming, and community engagement.