Bird Mask Item Number: A3672 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Large, carved, wooden, raven hamatsa mask with a long beak and two sets of s-shaped cutout nostrils. The beak is hinged with pieces of leather nailed to either side. The beak is painted black with a red mouth and nose. At the back of the mouth are three red ovoid-like shapes. Surrounding the nose are two s-shapes and three elongated s-shapes. 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, side and bottom edges of the mask are lined with braided cedar. The top and sides have short bundles of cedar creating a fringe. Intertwined in the cedar are a few feathers. The underside of the mouth is painted black with a small white and red design. The mask is painted black, red, and white with Northwest Coast stylized designs.
History Of Use
Worn by Hamats!a.
Narrative
Used in potlatch at Gilford Island in 1904 (B. Willie, 1966).
Cultural Context
ceremonial
Iconographic Meaning
Represents Huxhukw of Heaven, Huxhugwaxtawe', one servant of Cannibal at the North End of the World, Baxbakwalanuksiwe'.
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada before 1904
- Collected in Hopetown, British Columbia, Canada and Hegam's, British Columbia, Canada
- Owned by Chief Williams before November 1951
- Received from H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) and Chief Williams (Seller) during November 1951
What
Who
- Culture
- Kwakwaka'wakw
- Previous Owner
- Chief Williams
- Received from
- H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) and Chief Williams (Seller)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in
- Hopetown, British Columbia, Canada and Hegam's, British Columbia, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- before 1904
- Ownership Date
- before November 1951
- Acquisition Date
- during November 1951
Other
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 35
- Accession Number
- 1922/0002