Kolus Mask

This Kolus, or Young Thunderbird Mask, is hand-carved by Kwakwaka'wakw artist Spence Shaw. The mask is carved from Yellow Cedar, painted in acrylic, and features an articulating beak. It is adorned with white down feathers, cedar bark, abalone, and horse hair. 

Ko'lus/Kolus/Kulus is a young Thunderbird, sometimes referred to as the younger brother or sister of Thunderbird. The Ko'lus has a coat of white down so thick it makes him hot and prone to sweating. Like the Thunderbird, the Ko'lus has the ability to transform into a human. When overheated, the Ko'lus removes his down to become temporarily human. A highly respected symbol, Ko'lus is known as a protector spirit. In many origin stories, a Ko'lus flew down from heaven and shed his coat, transforming into a human and becoming the founding ancestor of the tribe or clan.

The Thunderbird Symbol represents power, protection, and strength. He is often seen as the most powerful of all spirits and can also transform into human form by opening his head up like a mask and taking his feathers off as if they were a mere blanket. Under his wings are lightning snakes, which he can use as a tool or weapon.

Find more information about and examples of The Thunderbird Northwest Coast First Nations symbol.

Without the stand, this mask measures approximately 22 inches or 56 centimeters long, 11 inches or 28 centimeters high (16 inches or 40 1/2 centimetres high including the hair), and 10 inches or 25 1/2 centimeters wide. 

The last image shows Spence holding the mask