Transformation Mask

Item number Nb3.1357 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

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Data
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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

Name: Transformation Mask
Identification Number: Nb3.1357
Type of Item: mask
Material: wood, feather, paper, fibre, metal, adhesive, hair and paint
Manufacturing Technique: cut, painted, carved, glued, stitched, hinged, nailed and folded
Overall: height 22.0 cm, width 86.0 cm, depth 66.0 cm