Tsimshian Cosmos Item Number: Nb7.342 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Scaled down model house front with painted designs. The panel is rectangular with an upper centre peak. There is a lower oval opening painted black (representing the original opening). The designs feature ovoid shapes and bird motifs in black and red on a plain wooden ground. There are red borders on the sides and top.
Narrative
Rendition by Lyle Wilson of a painted house front, at one sixth scale of the original. The design is based on the remaining components found on the 19th century Tsimshian house planks in MOA's collection (see Nb7.239-243). The original house screen fronted a lineage house at Lax Kw’alaams, a Tsimshian village on the northern BC coast. Decades after the house boards entered the museum collection, it was discovered that light raked across the surface of the boards, combined with high-contrast photography, revealed an elegant painting at least two hundred years old.
Item History
- Made by Lyle Wilson (Maker) in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on May 6, 1996
- Owned by Lyle Wilson before May 6, 1996
- Received from Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source) and Lyle Wilson (Seller) on May 6, 1996
What
- Name
- Tsimshian Cosmos
- Identification Number
- Nb7.342
- Type of Item
- house front
- Material
- cedar wood and acrylic paint
- Overall
- height 69.5 cm, width 249.0 cm, depth 4.0 cm
Who
- Culture
- Tsimshian
- Creator
- Lyle Wilson (Maker)
- Previous Owner
- Lyle Wilson
- Received from
- Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source) and Lyle Wilson (Seller)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- on May 6, 1996
- Ownership Date
- before May 6, 1996
- Acquisition Date
- on May 6, 1996
Other
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 1686/0001