Mask Item Number: A3634 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Mask with a rotating t-shaped appendage at top that has a seagull at the end of each arm. The mask has a scalloped scale symbol edge, a hooked nose, slightly protruding eyes, and a slightly pointed chin. The mask is painted with red on the t-shaped protrusion, white and black on the seagulls, alternating light red-brown, brown, white, and green on the scalloped edge, white with red and brown inverted scale symbol u-shapes on the forehead, black eyebrows, green around the eyes and over the top of the nose bridge, brown over the tip of the nose with brown scalloped scale symbols on the cheeks, red nostrils and lips, a black moustache, and a white chin and lower cheeks with red designs on the lower cheeks. The rotating seagull appendage is controlled by green cord with wooden toggles at the back of the mask. There is also a bent cedar frame attached at the reverse.
Iconographic Meaning
Represents Chief of the Undersea World, Q!umugwe'.
Narrative
Acquired by John Hunt through his marriage to Alice Hunt whose uncle was from Bella Bella.
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada before 1951
- Collected in Fort Rupert, British Columbia, Canada and Tsaxis, British Columbia, Canada
- Owned by Alice Hunt
- Owned by Jonathan Hunt before November 1951
- Received from Jonathan Hunt (Seller) and H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) during November 1951
What
Who
- Culture
- Kwakwaka'wakw
- Previous Owner
- Alice Hunt and Jonathan Hunt
- Received from
- Jonathan Hunt (Seller) and H. R. MacMillan (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in
- Fort Rupert, British Columbia, Canada and Tsaxis, British Columbia, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- before 1951
- Ownership Date
- before November 1951
- Acquisition Date
- during November 1951
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Current Location
- Case 40
- Accession Number
- 1913/0027