Mask Item Number: A6268 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Carved wooden, crooked beak mask. The beak has large red, tear shaped nostrils outlined in back and bordered by red u-forms. Running from the brow is a large central black frill that protrudes outward and curves inward to the centre of the beak. The ridge, along with below the eye and the edge of the mouth, are lined with black u-forms outlined in white. The mouth is red, flat and protruding. The bottom parts of the beak are hinged with rectangular pieces of rubber. The eyes are black, outlined in white on a white ovoid shaped ground; brow is black. The underside of the beak is black. The inside of the mask is hollow with the exception of a piece of fibre twine that articulates the beak. Attached at the top inner tip is a small bundle of small stripes of cedar bark; intertwined are feathers. Hanging from the bottom edge are pieces of twine that hold remnants of cedar strips. The mask is painted black, white and red with Northwest Coast stylized forms.
History Of Use
Worn by Hamats!a dancer.
Iconographic Meaning
Represents Crooked Beak of Heaven, Galugwadzawe', servant of Baxbakwalanuksiwe', Cannibal at the north end of the world.
Narrative
According to Bill Holm, the mask was made by Charlie George Sr. for Tom Omhid when Humchitt was Hamats!a for Tom (Bill Holm). Chief Jim Humchitt was living in Fort Rupert when he sold his collection to MOA, however Gloria Cranmer Webster listed him as being from Smith Inlet and Hope Island.
Item History
- Made by Charlie George Sr. ? (Maker) in British Columbia, Canada before 1953
- Collected in Hope Island, British Columbia, Canada and Xwamdasbe', British Columbia, Canada
- Owned by Chief Jim Humchitt before October 20, 1953
- Received from Chief Jim Humchitt (Seller) and H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) on October 20, 1953
What
Who
- Culture
- Kwakwaka'wakw
- Creator
- Charlie George Sr. ? (Maker)
- Previous Owner
- Chief Jim Humchitt
- Received from
- Chief Jim Humchitt (Seller) and H. R. MacMillan (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in
- Hope Island, British Columbia, Canada and Xwamdasbe', British Columbia, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- before 1953
- Ownership Date
- before October 20, 1953
- Acquisition Date
- on October 20, 1953
Other
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 1992/0006