#24 • Kwakwaka'wakw Frog Transformation Mask – Wayne Alfred

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

High bid $800.00

Status: Sold

Category: Ethnographic Objects

A Northwest Coast Frog Transformation mask by renowned Kwakwaka'wakw artist Wayne Alfred (b. 1958), signed en verso and dated 2009. Finely carved from cedar, the mask depicts a stylized human face from whose open mouth emerges a vividly rendered frog, illustrating a well-known Kwakwaka'wakw transformation story in which a man repeatedly assumes the form of a frog to acquire wealth until one final transformation leaves him unable to return to human form. Executed in a striking green, red, black, and natural wood formline palette, the mask is distinguished by its expressive sculptural modeling and balanced composition. The projecting frog, boldly painted facial features, and integrated secondary visage create a compelling interplay between human and supernatural forms, while a braided cedar bark border crowned by a large woven bow enhances its ceremonial character and visual presence. Wayne Alfred is a member of the 'Namgis First Nation and is recognized as one of the foremost contemporary Northwest Coast artists working in the Kwakwaka'wakw tradition. He studied and worked alongside master carvers including Henry Hunt and Beau Dick and, in 2012, received the British Columbia Creative Achievement Award for First Nations Art. His carvings have been featured in exhibitions, publications, and museum collections and are widely respected for their strong adherence to traditional formline design and exceptional craftsmanship. Signed and dated en verso. Measures approximately 7.75 inches wide by 4 inches deep by 10.75 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 Kwakwaka'wakw First Nations Primary Care Centre, supporting healthcare and community wellness initiatives for Kwakwaka'wakw communities. Note Regarding Shipping Services: This item is exceptionally large and/or heavy, and may require custom boxing or crating depending on the intended destination and available carrier services. For more information prior to bidding, please email us at Shipping@AlaskaPremierAuctions.com or call/text us at 907.570.7050.