Mask Item Number: A6317 a from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Large, carved, wooden, raven hamatsa mask with a long beak and ovoid shaped cutout nostrils. The beak is hinged with pieces of skin, with fur, nailed to either side. The beak is painted black with a red mouth and nose. At the back of the nose are five black U-forms with a large black s-shape; each shape is outlined in white. The eyes are white, outlined in black and red, on a white and red, 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 white edging. The mask is painted black, red and white with stylized designs. (Part b is a detached piece of cedar fringe.)
History Of Use
Worn by Hamats!a.
Iconographic Meaning
Represents Raven at the north end of the world, Gwaxgwaxwalanuxsiwe', one of the servants of Baxbakwalanuxsiwe', Cannibal at the North End of the World.
Narrative
One of twelve belongings loaned back for the Dawson family potlatch in Alert Bay, Aug 2019. The mask was danced at the event.
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada before 1953
- Collected in Kingcome Inlet, British Columbia, Canada and Ukwanalis, British Columbia, Canada
- Owned by William Dawson before December 1953
- Received from William Dawson (Seller) and H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) during December 1953
What
Who
- Culture
- Kwakwaka'wakw
- Previous Owner
- William Dawson
- Received from
- William Dawson (Seller) and H. R. MacMillan (Funding source)
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 1953
- Ownership Date
- before December 1953
- Acquisition Date
- during December 1953
Other
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 37
- Accession Number
- 1892/0001 a