Mask Item Number: A7478 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Wooden, bear mask, carved and painted; has copper, cutout teeth. The muzzle is hinged with two pieces leather on either side, nailed to a lower jaw. There is twine on the inside of the mask that connects to the jaw allowing it to open and close. Wooden ears are attached to the top of the head. The mask is painted black, green and red.
Narrative
Collected by E.F. Meade during field trip to several Kwakwaka'wakw villages.
Iconographic Meaning
Represents grizzly bear: nan, or gala. Copper teeth suggest that this may be grizzly bear of the sea: na'nis?
Item History
- Made by Willie Seaweed ? (Maker) in Blunden Harbour, British Columbia, Canada ? or Ba'as, British Columbia, Canada ? before 1961
- Collected in Turnour Island, British Columbia, Canada and Kalugwis, British Columbia, Canada
- Owned by Edward F. Meade before May 1961
- Received from H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) and Edward F. Meade (Seller) during May 1961
What
- Name
- Mask
- Identification Number
- A7478
- Type of Item
- mask
- Material
- wood, fibre, leather skin, copper metal and paint
- Manufacturing Technique
- carved, hinged, nailed and painted
- Overall
- height 22.9 cm, width 22.7 cm, depth 36.9 cm
Who
- Culture
- Kwakwaka'wakw
- Creator
- Willie Seaweed ? (Maker)
- Previous Owner
- Edward F. Meade
- Received from
- H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) and Edward F. Meade (Seller)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Blunden Harbour, British Columbia, Canada ? or Ba'as, British Columbia, Canada ?
- Collected in
- Turnour Island, British Columbia, Canada and Kalugwis, British Columbia, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- before 1961
- Ownership Date
- before May 1961
- Acquisition Date
- during May 1961
Other
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 22
- Accession Number
- 0049/0008