Mask
Item number A6119 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.
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This information was automatically generated from data provided by MOA: University of British Columbia. It has been standardized to aid in finding and grouping information within the RRN. Accuracy and meaning should be verified from the Data Source tab.
Description
Carved, wooden raven headdress, or mask. Long beak and oval shaped, cutout nostrils. The beak is hinged with pieces of leather on either side, nailed to the jaw. The beak and nostrils are painted black with red edging. There is a red stylized split U-form around the nostrils. The eyes are white, outlined in black on a white, ovoid shaped background; brow is black. Attached to the top of the head are short strips of cedar bark creating a fringe. Attached with twine to the top, back and bottom rim are small bunches of cedar. 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 and white with Northwest Coast stylized designs.
History Of Use
Worn by female attendant, hiligaxste', in taming the Hamats!a dancer. See Boas, 1895, p. 444
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.
Cultural Context
ceremonial
Item History
- Made by Dick Hawkins (Maker) in British Columbia, Canada during 1935
- Collected in Kingcome Inlet, British Columbia, Canada and Ukwanalis, British Columbia, Canada
- Owned by Albert Dawson before 1953
- Received from Albert Dawson (Seller) and H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) during 1953
What
- Name
- Mask
- Identification Number
- A6119
- Type of Item
- mask
- Material
- cedar bark, wood, paint, leather skin, fibre, metal and feather
- Manufacturing Technique
- carved, bored, tied, nailed and painted
- Overall
- height 23.1 cm, width 22.8 cm, depth 64.5 cm
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in
- Kingcome Inlet, British Columbia, Canada and Ukwanalis, British Columbia, Canada
Who
- Culture
- Kwakwaka'wakw
- Creator
- Dick Hawkins (Maker)
- Previous Owner
- Albert Dawson
- Received from
- Albert Dawson (Seller) and H. R. MacMillan (Funding source)
When
- Creation Date
- during 1935
- Ownership Date
- before 1953
- Acquisition Date
- during 1953
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Current Location
- Case 35
- Accession Number
- 1885/0002
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