Raven Mask Item Number: A6361 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Carved bird mask with a long beak and circular, cutout nostrils. The beak is hinged with pieces of rubber on either side, nailed to the jaw. The beak and nostrils are painted black with red edging. There are five orange U-forms and four red U-forms carved at the back of the beak running towards the nostril. The eyes are white, outlined in black on a white, ovoid shaped background; brow is black. Attached to the top of the head are five rounded edged, rectangular cutouts with red U-forms painted on a white background. Behind the cutouts is a fringe of cedar bark; tied bunches of cedar bark are adhered to the back and side rim with twine. Strips of cedar line the bottom rim and dangle down to cover the body of the wearer. The bottom of the beak has a white U-form painted on it. The inside of the mask is hollow with the exception of an attached twine cord that assistants the beak in opening and shutting. The mask is painted black, red, white and orange.

History Of Use

Worn by Hamats!a dancer.

Iconographic Meaning

Represents Raven at the North End of the World, Gwaxgwaxwalanuxsiwe', one of the servants of cannibal at the north end of the world, Baxbakwalanuxsiwe'.

Narrative

The old catalogue card for this mask noted the owner as Joe Johnny. However, there isn't any mention of this in the correspondence with Cranmer, so the information is uncertain.