Transformation Mask Item Number: Nb3.1357 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Eagle transformation mask that has three beak portions joined by wedge-shaped pieces of wood fastened together by cloth and string; beak portions are pegged and hinged to an exterior wooden mount behind the interior human face mask; wood and string lever at base operates mask. Exterior closed: top of mask has three wedged shaped pieces painted white with black spots, down feathers glued to surface. Both upper beak portions identical with wedged shaped pieces above eye painted white with a solid black curvilinear design; black brows outlined in white; green face, white above beak and at jaw line; red optic liner, black and white eye; below black beak red nostril outlined in white; red lip band; wedge shaped pieces protruding from mouth are white with a solid black curvilinear design; underside of lower beak has two distinct painted parts; rear of beak, including wedge shaped pieces on either side, are painted white with black spots, down feathers glued to surface; upper portion of lower beak is black with a red lip band around three sides. Interior open: beaks painted black; red lip band visible on lower beak portion; beaks slightly concave, rim of upper beak portions graduate in depth; wedge shaped pieces form a circle around human face mask; dogfish design at the four cardinal points. Human face has hair inserted into drilled holes along top rim; white forehead has three green-grey u forms outlined in red, thin black line defines centre split u; black brows; green eye area and nose; eyes are white bored circles with red eye sockets; red nostrils; white cheeks have four solid green-grey u forms on either side of mouth; black moustache-like line extends from nostrils to corner of mouth; open red lipped mouth; white jaw area has four rows of short horizontal strips; black chin; black smudges on jaw and under lower lip.
History Of Use
Transformation dance mask.
Cultural Context
contemporary art
Narrative
Used in dance performance for king and queen of Spain, March 16, 1984.
Item History
- Made by Beau Dick (Maker) in British Columbia, Canada during 1983
- Collected during 1983
- Owned by Beau Dick before October 4, 1983
- Received from Beau Dick (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source) on October 4, 1983
What
Who
- Culture
- Kwakwaka'wakw
- Creator
- Beau Dick (Maker)
- Previous Owner
- Beau Dick
- Received from
- Beau Dick (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- during 1983
- Collection Date
- during 1983
- Ownership Date
- before October 4, 1983
- Acquisition Date
- on October 4, 1983
Other
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 27
- Accession Number
- 0901/0001