Mask

Item number A6347 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

Public

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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 atłaamł 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.