Mask Item Number: A3807 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Wooden, carved, raven mask with a long beak and triangular shaped cutout nostrils. The beak is hinged with pieces of leather on either side, nailed to the lower mouth. The beak and nostrils are painted black with red edging. The eyes are white, outlined in black on a black, ovoid shaped background; brow is black. The inside of the mask is hollow. The mask is painted black, red and white.
History Of Use
Worn by Hamats!a dancer. When complete, is trimmed with wing and breast feathers of raven (C. George, 1966).
Iconographic Meaning
Represents Raven at the North End of the World: Gwaxgwaxwanuxsiwe', one of the servants of cannibal at the north end of the world: Baxwbakwalanuxsiwe.
Cultural Context
ceremonial
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in Kingcome Inlet, British Columbia, Canada and Ukwanalis, British Columbia, Canada
- Owned by Peter Moon before 1951
- Received from Peter Moon (Seller) during 1951
What
Who
- Culture
- Kwakwaka'wakw
- Previous Owner
- Peter Moon
- Received from
- Peter Moon (Seller)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in
- Kingcome Inlet, British Columbia, Canada and Ukwanalis, British Columbia, Canada
When
- Ownership Date
- before 1951
- Acquisition Date
- during 1951
Other
- Condition
- poor