Sun Mask | Killer Whale Fin Item Number: 25.0/227 from the The Burke: University of Washington
Exhibit Label
This mask was carved by the artist, Willie Seaweed. When it is used in the Tlasula performance, the killer whale and sun mask appears following the disappearance of the headdress dancer. Moving with slow steps around the dance house, the blanketed mask dancer turns his head one way and another to display the great sun disk and killer whale glowing in the firelight amidst swirling white down blown by the attendants. (Holm, Crooked Beak of Heaven, 1972)
Item History
- Made by Willie Seaweed
- Received from Mrs. Anne Gerber
What
- Name
- Sun Mask | Killer Whale Fin
- Identification Number
- 25.0/227
- Type of Item
- sun mask and killer whale fin
- Material
- wood and paint
- Overall
- height 23.5 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
- Killer Whale Fin | Sun
- Collection
- Burke Museum Ethnology Collection