Mask Item Number: A4165 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Xwixwi mask with protruding cylindrical eyes, hooked nose, and protruding recurved tongue. The mask is painted with green around the eyes, red nostrils, a red mouth and tongue, a black moustache, and thick black eyebrows. There is a scalloped border in black around the rim. An off-white cord is tied through three holes in the top reverse of the head and two holes either side of the face.
History Of Use
Represents Xwixwi, a Kwakwaka'wakw form of the Salish Sxwayxwey. See Boas, 1895, pg. 497, Figs. 170-171; pg. 516; or Holm, 1983, pg. 171.
Cultural Context
ceremonial
Narrative
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 by Willie Seaweed (Maker) in Blunden Harbour, British Columbia, Canada ? or Ba'as, British Columbia, Canada ? before 1952
- Collected in Village Island, British Columbia, Canada and 'Mimkwamlis, British Columbia, Canada
- Owned by Chief Harry Mountain before November 17, 1952
- Received from H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) and Chief Harry Mountain (Seller) on November 17, 1952
What
Who
- Culture
- Kwakwaka'wakw
- Creator
- Willie Seaweed (Maker)
- Previous Owner
- Chief Harry Mountain
- Received from
- H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) and Chief Harry Mountain (Seller)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Blunden Harbour, British Columbia, Canada ? or Ba'as, British Columbia, Canada ?
- Collected in
- Village Island, British Columbia, Canada and 'Mimkwamlis, British Columbia, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- before 1952
- Ownership Date
- before November 17, 1952
- Acquisition Date
- on November 17, 1952
Other
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 24
- Accession Number
- 2006/0012