Mask

Item number 1885.66.8 from the MAA: University of Cambridge.

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Data
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Description

Large heavy almost conical mask painted and carved in the form of a bear or an otter with hinged jaw and inset teeth. The creature has round eyes circled by green, brown and white. The rounded snout has a red nose with curling nostrils, surrounded by a ring of holes that possibly once held whiskers. The lips are painted red, and the lower jaw is attached with a piece of leather. The lower jaw can be moved by a piece of leather running through a groove on the inside top surface of the mask. The bear or otter has very small ears pressed back against its head, giving the creature a very ferocious appearance.; Good

Context

The mask has a provenance of Sitka written in what is presumably Hepburn' s handwriting on the reverse edge, making it Tlingit (G.Crowther). The original European tribal names and, where possible, current tribal names have both been given in separate GLT fields.; Although the mask has bear teeth the rounded eyes and small ears suggest an alternative identity of an otter, but this is only speculation. The mask is very robust and would have been awkward to wear facing front wards, which leads me to suggest it perhaps was worn as a helmet. It is very similar in style to Tlingit crest helmets (G.Crowther).; Exhibited: Old Anthropological display CUMAA, case 21-22, dismantled 22111986. New Anthropological displays at CUMAA, wall case, object number 5, 1990-.; Collected by: Hepburn.J.E