Masquerade Dress - Mask Item Number: E89102-0 from the National Museum of Natural History

Notes

FROM CARD: "THE SCANA OR ORCA ALL FITTED FOR USE." MASK (WITHOUT DORSAL FINS) ILLUS. FIG. 109, P. 134, DISCUSSED P. 133, IN DOWN FROM THE SHIMMERING SKY BY PETER MACNAIR, VANCOUVER ART GALLERY, 1998. IDENTIFIED THERE BY PETER MACNAIR AS MASK REPRESENTING KILLER WHALE (ORCA).EC372 was determined to be part of mask E89102 and was "reunited" with it on January 26, 2023. The following notes are from records related to that number: Anthropology Conservation Lab records identify as "fish fins" or parts for a mask or costume. These appear to be two wooden representations of killer whale dorsal fins, worn on the body as part of masked dance outfits. Compare to similar object Catalogue No. E88814, Haida. Tag for dorsal fins indicates "Asbestos Cleared 1994."