Bird Headdress Item Number: A4036 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Headdress with a swan on top of a sisiutl. The wings of the swan sit horizontally at its sides, and the tail has a face design near the end. The back of the bird has three holes in it. Below the bird is a sisiutl facing forward with two curled ears protruding in front of the bird, and there are two figures with curled noses in profile on the sides, each with a curled ear protruding upwards. Painted in red, green, black and dark yellow.
Iconographic Meaning
The bird was determined to be a swan based on its attributes of having an extra long neck (without the 'necklace' that a loon would have), a flat head, and a lack of paint to emphasize the whiteness of the bird.
Narrative
The swan crest comes from the Mountain family's origin story. Borrowed back by relations of Chief Harry Mountain for memorial potlatches in 1993 and 1996, and for a naming ceremony in 2000.
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in Village Island, British Columbia, Canada and 'Mimkwamlis, British Columbia, Canada
- Owned by Chief Harry Mountain before November 1952
- Owned by Alice Mountain before March 24, 1953
- Received from H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) and Alice Mountain (Seller) on March 24, 1953
What
Who
- Culture
- Kwakwaka'wakw
- Previous Owner
- Chief Harry Mountain and 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
- Ownership Date
- before November 1952 and before March 24, 1953
- Acquisition Date
- on March 24, 1953
Other
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 27
- Accession Number
- 2008/0006