Mask Item Number: A6347 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Mask with short lengths of cedar bark attached in bundles at the sides of the head and at the cop centre of the head. The mask is painted white with slanted eyes outlined in red, a red hooknose, red pursed lips, and an angled brow with off-white skin nailed to the eyebrows. The cheeks and chin are decorated with black and red curved linear designs, and there is a semicircular black design element above the top lip. A length of off-white string is attached through holes at the back of the mask.
History Of Use
Forest Spirit mask, from the atłaamł series.
Iconographic Meaning
Represents ax'alk!was, something like a bak!was, wild man of woods, but the nose is not as long (C. George, J. Dick, 1966). Boas, 1921 defined as'alk!was as a fabulous being carrying skull and thigh bones.
Item History
- Made by Chief George Walkus (Maker) in British Columbia, Canada before 1953
- Collected in Blunden Harbour, British Columbia, Canada and Ba'as, British Columbia, Canada
- Owned by Philip Paul before December 1953
- Received from H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) and Philip Paul (Seller) during December 1953
What
Who
- Culture
- Kwakwaka'wakw
- Creator
- Chief George Walkus (Maker)
- Previous Owner
- Philip Paul
- Received from
- H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) and Philip Paul (Seller)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in
- Blunden Harbour, British Columbia, Canada and Ba'as, British Columbia, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- before 1953
- Ownership Date
- before December 1953
- Acquisition Date
- during December 1953
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Current Location
- Case 24
- Accession Number
- 2033/0002