Mask Mouth Item Number: 25.0/225 from the The Burke: University of Washington
Exhibit Label
Collected from Willie Seaweed and made by him for his wife, who owned the prerogative, this "Calling Down" mouth shows the workmanship associated with the work of that artist. The "mouth" was held in the teeth of the owner. It was called heygukhsti and gave the owner the privilege of publicly "calling down" or critically derogating people. No offense could be taken at these comments. (Holm, Crooked Beak of Heaven, 1972)
Item History
- Made by Willie Seaweed
- Received from Mrs. Anne Gerber
What
- Name
- Mask Mouth
- Identification Number
- 25.0/225
- Type of Item
- mask mouth
- Material
- wood
- Manufacturing Technique
- carved
- Overall
- width 6.0 in
Who
- Culture
- Kwakwaka'wakw: 'Nakwaxda'xw
- Creator
- Willie Seaweed
- Received from
- Mrs. Anne Gerber
Where
- Holding Institution
- The Burke: University of Washington
Other
- Credit
- Sidney Gerber Collection, Gift of Anne Gerber
- Motif
- Mouth
- Collection
- Burke Museum Ethnology Collection