Wolf Headdress Item Number: A9184 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Wolf headdress with bared teeth, and carved snout. Curvilinear design around back upper edge. Carved with great detail but the surface is now rough and weathered. Traces of red and black paint.
History Of Use
Used as a grave marker; traditionally removed after four years by the family to show that a memorial potlatch was being planned.
Iconographic Meaning
According to Ron Hamilton this headdress is called 'Tik'tik-milth or Wolf Spinning in Alternate Directions.
Narrative
Collected by Edith Bevan Cross. Originally (with Nb11.200) placed on a post at a grave in Ahousat in 1961. (A photograph exists of them in situ in 1962). Presumably removed by the family from the site in 1965 along with two other masks that are now in the collection of the Glenbow Museum in Calgary (AA438-39). The headdress was identified by Kaamiina of Aahuusath as part of a pair that, along with the masks, were found together at a gravesite.
Item History
- Made in Ahousat, British Columbia, Canada
- Collected during 1962
- Owned by Edith Bevan Cross and David Frank
- Owned by Michael R. Johnson before September 9, 1969
- Received from Michael R. Johnson (Seller) and Walter C. Koerner (Funding source) on September 9, 1969
What
- Name
- Wolf Headdress
- Identification Number
- A9184
- Type of Item
- headdress
- Material
- paint and cedar wood
- Manufacturing Technique
- carved and painted
- Overall
- height 22.3 cm, width 18.5 cm, depth 55.3 cm
Who
- Culture
- Nuu-chah-nulth: Ahousaht
- Previous Owner
- Edith Bevan Cross, David Frank and Michael R. Johnson
- Received from
- Michael R. Johnson (Seller) and Walter C. Koerner (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Ahousat, British Columbia, Canada
When
- Collection Date
- during 1962
- Ownership Date
- before September 9, 1969
- Acquisition Date
- on September 9, 1969
Other
- Condition
- poor
- Accession Number
- 0157/0001