Mask Item Number: A3815 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Large, carved, wooden, raven hamatsa mask with a long, tall, beak and cutout nostrils. The beak is hinged with pieces of rubber nailed to either side. The beak is painted black with a red mouth and noses. Along the back of the nose to the back of the mouth are red U-forms and other shapes outlined in white. The eyes are white, outlined in black, surrounded by red on a white, ovoid shaped background; brow is black. The inside of the mask is hollow with the exception of twine used to open and close the beak. The top has short pieces of cedar creating a fringe, while the back has longer strips that hang over the wearer. Intertwined in the cedar are many feathers. There is a piece of cloth that hangs down over the front of the wearer. The mask is painted black, red, and white with Northwest Coast stylized designs.
History Of Use
Worn by Hamats!a dancer.
Cultural Context
ceremonial
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'.
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada before 1952
- Collected in Kingcome Inlet, British Columbia, Canada and Ukwanalis, British Columbia, Canada
- Owned by Tom Patch Wamiss before January 1952
- Received from H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) and Tom Patch Wamiss (Seller) during January 1952
What
Who
- Culture
- Kwakwaka'wakw
- Previous Owner
- Tom Patch Wamiss
- Received from
- H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) and Tom Patch Wamiss (Seller)
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
When
- Creation Date
- before 1952
- Ownership Date
- before January 1952
- Acquisition Date
- during January 1952
Other
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 35
- Accession Number
- 1898/0001