Fire Destroyer - Repoussé Silver Pendant with Abalone

Gus Cook

Fire Destroyer - Repoussé Silver Pendant with Abalone

Gus Cook
SOLD
SOLD
$900.00

With abalone

1 1/2" x  1 1/8"

Nułtsistalał, the Fire Destroyer, is the servant of Baxwbakwalanuksiwe’ who he bestows with the power to destroy fire. Nułtsistalał’s spirit is the seagull, and if a seagull saw a fire in the night, it would drop down into the fire and die. The Nułtsistalał does everything in his power to destroy all fire and lights that are shining at night. During the dance, the Hamat̓'sa guard the fire and restrain the Fire Destroyer Dancer from getting at the fire. Sometimes, the Nułtsistalał would take apart the whole fire and would return to sit on the embers; some dancers would put red-hot coals in their mouths and spit them out. This dance represents the sacredness and power of the fire and its connection to the spirit world.

Artist Biography and Additional Work