Mask Item Number: A6151 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Carved wooden, crooked beak mask. The beak has red, snout-like protruding nostril with a series of black and white s-shapes above. Running from the brow is a central black frill, outlined in white, that protrudes outward then curves downwards to the top of the beak. The mouth is red, flat and protruding. The underside of the beak is natural with black, feather-like detailing. The bottom parts of the beak are hinged with rectangular pieces of rubber. The eyes are black, outlined in white and red on a white ovoid shaped ground; brow is black. The inside of the mask is hollow with the exception of pieces of fibre twine that articulates the beak. The top and sides have small bundles of small stripes of cedar bark. The mask is painted black, white and red with Northwest Coast stylized forms.
History Of Use
Worn by Hamats!a dancer.
Iconographic Meaning
Represents Crooked Beak of Heaven, Galugwadzawe', one of the servants of Baxwbakwalanuxsiwe': cannibal at the north end of the world.
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada before 1953
- Collected in Smith Inlet, British Columbia, Canada and Takus, British Columbia, Canada
- Owned by Sally Walkus before July 14, 1953
- Received from H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) and Sally Walkus (Seller) on July 14, 1953
What
Who
- Culture
- Kwakwaka'wakw
- Previous Owner
- Sally Walkus
- Received from
- H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) and Sally Walkus (Seller)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in
- Smith Inlet, British Columbia, Canada and Takus, British Columbia, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- before 1953
- Ownership Date
- before July 14, 1953
- Acquisition Date
- on July 14, 1953
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 1979/0004