“Tamaqua” New Commission Piece

A gentleman commissioned me to make a mask called “King Beaver”. Also known as Tamaqua, the great peacemaker and Chief of the Deleware Nation.

The French and Indian War brought violence to the Pennsylvania frontier that threatened the Indian way of life. Tamaqua’s vision was to find peace with his brother the English. This could only be achieved with strong words of cooperation, bound by the spiritually powerful Wampum beads. The pictograph on the wampum belt tells a Tribal story. When the belt is presented as a gift, it binds a man’s words for generations. Tamaqua’s wampum diplomacy obtained the release of hundreds of white captives; and he said:”…I came to confirm our friendship and make a lasting peace, so as our children and grandchildren may live together in everlasting peace…”