Mask Item Number: A6320 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Wooden, carved, raven mask with a long beak and S-shaped cutout nostrils. The beak is hinged with pieces of skin on either side, nailed to the lower mouth. The beak and nostrils are painted black with white and red edging. The eye is outlined in black and red on a white background. The eyebrow is black with white and red U-shapes repeated above. The top of the head is decorated with cedar bark fringe and black feathers. Long strips of cedar run down the back and bottom of the mask. The inside of the mask is hollow with a wooden T-form at the back.
History Of Use
Worn by Hamats!a dancer.
Iconographic Meaning
Represents Gwaxgwaxwalanuxsiwe', Raven at the North End of the World, one of the servants of Baxwbakwalanuxsiwe', cannibal at the north end of the world.
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada before 1953
- Collected in Gilford Island, British Columbia, Canada and Gwa'yasdam's, British Columbia, Canada
- Owned by Samuel James before December 22, 1953
- Received from Samuel James (Seller) and H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) on December 22, 1953
What
Who
- Culture
- Kwakwaka'wakw
- Previous Owner
- Samuel James
- Received from
- Samuel James (Seller) and H. R. MacMillan (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in
- Gilford Island, British Columbia, Canada and Gwa'yasdam's, British Columbia, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- before 1953
- Ownership Date
- before December 22, 1953
- Acquisition Date
- on December 22, 1953
Other
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 35
- Accession Number
- 2025/0002