A TSIMSHIAN MASK, NORTHWEST COAST Circa early - mid 20th Century Finely carved with an ovoid mouth, pierced in the centre between the individually carved teeth, with a small 'button' nose and almond-shaped eyes with defined eyelids, surmounted by eyebrows in shallow raised relief, 21.8cm high.  Provenance: Private London collection, acquired prior to 2000.  Footnotes: The Tsimshian peoples inhabit the coastal areas of British Columbia and southern Alaska. Masks are an important part of tribal ceremonial and were often indicative of the status of the wearer.