Mask Item Number: A6346 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Large, carved, wooden, raven hamatsa mask with a long beak, an ovoid shaped projection on the ridge and thin, ovoid 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. From the edge of the mouth to the back of the nose are a series of red u-forms ending in a split u. At the back of the mouth are two white u-forms. The bridge has white and red detailing. The eyes are white, outlined in black and 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. The bottom is black with a white U-form. The mask is painted black, red, and white with Northwest Coast stylized designs.
History Of Use
Worn by Hamats!a dancer.
Narrative
Danced by Joe Seaweed for Philip Paul?
Iconographic Meaning
Represents Huxwhugwaxlhawe': Huxhukw of Heaven, one of the servants of cannibal at the north end of the world, Buxwbakwalanuxsiwe'.
Item History
- Made by Willie Seaweed (Maker) in Blunden Harbour, British Columbia, Canada ? or Ba'as, British Columbia, Canada ? during 1920
- Collected in Blunden Harbour, British Columbia, Canada and Ba'as, British Columbia, Canada
- Owned by Philip Paul before December 1953
- Received from H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) and Philip Paul (Seller) during December 1953
What
- Name
- Mask
- Identification Number
- A6346
- Type of Item
- mask
- Material
- cedar bark, leather skin, wood, paint, fibre and metal
- Manufacturing Technique
- carved, painted and hinged
- Overall
- height 79.6 cm, width 34.2 cm, depth 180.2 cm
Who
- Culture
- Kwakwaka'wakw
- Creator
- Willie Seaweed (Maker)
- Previous Owner
- Philip Paul
- Received from
- H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) and Philip Paul (Seller)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Blunden Harbour, British Columbia, Canada ? or Ba'as, British Columbia, Canada ?
- Collected in
- Blunden Harbour, British Columbia, Canada and Ba'as, British Columbia, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- during 1920
- Ownership Date
- before December 1953
- Acquisition Date
- during December 1953
Other
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 37
- Accession Number
- 2033/0001