Masmasa'lano Item Number: 2768/1 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Portrait mask. Red, blue and black facial features and tattoo are painted onto the natural wood background. Abalone shell discs and a thin band are glued to the eyes and mouth and a thick coil of red bark rope is attached along the chin line. Long twists of dark hair and tied bundles of painted red bark strips with blue ends drape across the forehead and down the sides.
Iconographic Meaning
The artist was inspired to do this mask after hearing creation stories of Masmasa’lano like the one told in 'Bella Bella Tales' (1932): "Masmasa'lano came down the sky at Bella Coola. From there he went to Bella Bella and made all the straits and channels. His canoe was a double-headed serpent which cut through the land and made the channels. The arts of carving and painting were obtained from Masmasa'lano."
Item History
- Made by Ian Reid (Maker) in Bella Bella, British Columbia, Canada and 'Qvuqvai, British Columbia, Canada during 2009
- Collected by Pam Brown during 2009
- Owned by Ian Reid before October 13, 2009
- Received from Ian Reid (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Acquisitions Budget (Funding source) on October 13, 2009
What
- Name
- Masmasa'lano
- Identification Number
- 2768/1
- Type of Item
- mask
- Material
- cedar wood, cedar bark, human hair, paint, abalone shell, metal and epoxy adhesive
- Overall
- height 61.0 cm, width 34.0 cm, depth 15.0 cm
Who
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Bella Bella, British Columbia, Canada and 'Qvuqvai, British Columbia, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- during 2009
- Collection Date
- during 2009
- Ownership Date
- before October 13, 2009
- Acquisition Date
- on October 13, 2009
Other
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 11
- Accession Number
- 2768/0001