Sea Monster Back Mask Item Number: 1-1540 from the The Burke: University of Washington
Exhibit Label
This Sculpin mask epitomizes the flamboyance of Kwakwaka'wakw theatrical sculpture. Jagged contours, bold, intertwined forms, and snapping, fanning, and waving appendages--all covered with contrasting and complex patterns of strong color--create creatures of startling fantasy. The subdued, wavering light of the dance house softens those contrasts amd unifies the forms. The sculpin swims to the rise and fall of its song in a sea of firelight and swirling eagle down. (Holm, Spirit and Ancestor, 1987)
Automatically Generated From Material
The paint is black, red, green, blue, yellow, and white.
Item History
- Received from Mrs. Walter C. Waters
What
- Name
- Sea Monster Back Mask
- Identification Number
- 1-1540
- Type of Item
- sea monster back mask
- Material
- cedar wood, paint, string and cloth
- Manufacturing Technique
- carved, painted and lashed
- Overall
- length 67.7 in, width 24.0 in, depth 19.2 in
Who
- Culture
- Kwakwaka'wakw
- Received from
- Mrs. Walter C. Waters
Where
- Holding Institution
- The Burke: University of Washington
Other
- Credit
- Purchased from Mrs. Walter C. Waters
- Motif
- Sculpin
- Collection
- Burke Museum Ethnology Collection