Sun Mask Item Number: A6166 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Representation of a sun mask. Painted three-dimensional carved bird/human head in white with black eyebrows, circle around eye, red nostrils and scalloped row across cheeks. Mounted on a flat round backboard, also painted white, with four painted rays in black, two with oval shapes and two with U-shape elements in green, and oval in red. Four ray-like projections at each corner, with round red ends. Metal wire and eye hooks on back.
Narrative
Borrowed back for the Bill Cranmer potlatch in Nov. 2017, in Alert Bay.
Iconographic Meaning
Si’santła’yi, the sun, descended to the earth in the shape of a bird, then changed into a man and built a house at Yikaman. In the winter dance the Si’santła’yi [sun clans] use the mask Tłisalagamł, the sun mask. (Information from “Indian Legends of the North Pacific Coast of America,” by Franz Boas.)
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada before 1953
- Collected in 'Yalis (Alert Bay), British Columbia, Canada
- Owned by Daniel E. Cranmer before July 10, 1953
- Received from Daniel E. Cranmer (Seller) and H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) on July 10, 1953
What
Who
- Culture
- Kwakwaka'wakw
- Previous Owner
- Daniel E. Cranmer
- Received from
- Daniel E. Cranmer (Seller) and H. R. MacMillan (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in
- 'Yalis (Alert Bay), British Columbia, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- before 1953
- Ownership Date
- before July 10, 1953
- Acquisition Date
- on July 10, 1953
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Current Location
- Case 40
- Accession Number
- 1958/0003