Mask Item Number: A6307 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Carved, wooden, raven mask with a long beak. The beak is hinged with rubber pieces on either side; glued shut. The beak is painted black with a red mouth and nose. The eyes are outlined in black on a white with a green ovoid shaped background; brow is black. Attached to the top of the head is a braid of cedar with long stripes that hand down to cover the wearer. The inside of the mask is hollow with the exception of an attached twine cord that assisted the beak in opening and shutting. The mask is painted black, red, green and white with Northwest Coast stylized designs.
History Of Use
Worn by female attendant, hiligaxste', in taming the hamats!a dancer.
Iconographic Meaning
Represents raven at the north end of the world, Gwaxgwaxwalanuxsiwe', one of the servants of Baxwbakwalanuxsiwe', cannibal at the north end of the world.
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada before 1953
- Collected in Village Island, British Columbia, Canada and 'Mimkwamlis, British Columbia, Canada
- Owned by Alice Mountain before November 10, 1953
- Received from H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) and Alice Mountain (Seller) on November 10, 1953
What
Who
- Culture
- Kwakwaka'wakw
- Previous Owner
- Alice Mountain
- Received from
- H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) and Alice Mountain (Seller)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in
- Village Island, British Columbia, Canada and 'Mimkwamlis, British Columbia, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- before 1953
- Ownership Date
- before November 10, 1953
- Acquisition Date
- on November 10, 1953
Other
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 2012/0004