Woodland Spirit Rawhide Mask Sculpture Nick Elzay Mixed Media Folk Art Signed

This 1991 mixed-media mask sculpture, titled “Woodland Spirit,” is the work of Ohio artist Nick Elzay and was originally sold through Ward & Eis / Gallery-by-the-Bay in Petoskey, Michigan. Rawhide masks are rarely produced anymore — the process is slow, meticulous, and entirely handmade — and this piece is a haunting example of that lost craft. The mask itself is shaped from white rawhide, giving it a bone-smooth texture and a slightly primitive presence. It’s mounted within a frame of weathered twigs and bound branches, tied with natural cord in a way that feels ritualistic, intentional… almost protective. The entire piece gives the impression of something found deep in the woods, carried home by someone who knows better but couldn’t resist. It includes the original gallery documentation, handwritten and signed, with the title, artist name, and original price noted. Provenance like this adds tremendous value, especially with folk pieces that were never mass-produced. A striking addition to: • Folk art collections • Primitive / rustic decor • Dark cottagecore or woodland-inspired spaces • Mask collections • Gallery walls that crave texture and soul Dimensions: approx. 18” tall × 12” wide (with natural variation due to the twigs) Medium: Rawhide, natural wood, cord Artist: Nick Elzay (Ohio) Title: Woodland Spirit Year: 1991 Provenance: Ward & Eis, Gallery-by-the-Bay Condition: Excellent vintage condition with natural rustic irregularities from original materials.