Mask Item Number: A4249 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Wooden, carved, raven mask with a long beak with round, 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; orange split "u" design extends from the nostril to back of mouth. The eye is outlined in black and red on a white background; eyebrow is black. The head of the bird is flat with cedar bark fringe on top and along the sides. The inside of the mask is hollow.
History Of Use
Worn by Hamats!a dancer.
Iconographic Meaning
Represents Raven at the North End of the World, Gwaxgwaxwalanuxsiwe', servant of Baxbakwalanuxsiwe', cannibal at the north end of the world.
Narrative
One of twelve belongings loaned back for the Dawson family potlatch in Alert Bay, Aug 2019. The mask was danced during the event.
Item History
- Made by Willie Seaweed (Maker) in Blunden Harbour, British Columbia, Canada ? or Ba'as, British Columbia, Canada ? during 1899
- Collected in Kingcome Inlet, British Columbia, Canada and Ukwanalis, British Columbia, Canada
- Owned by William Dawson before March 1953
- Received from William Dawson (Seller) and H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) during March 1953
What
Who
- Culture
- Kwakwaka'wakw
- Creator
- Willie Seaweed (Maker)
- Previous Owner
- William Dawson
- Received from
- William Dawson (Seller) and H. R. MacMillan (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Blunden Harbour, British Columbia, Canada ? or Ba'as, British Columbia, Canada ?
- Collected in
- Kingcome Inlet, British Columbia, Canada and Ukwanalis, British Columbia, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- during 1899
- Ownership Date
- before March 1953
- Acquisition Date
- during March 1953
Other
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 37
- Accession Number
- 2313/0001