Mask Item Number: A3588 a from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Mask with a broad face that has a hooked nose and protruding cheeks. The mask is surmounted by a bird figure with a long beak, flexible wood and fabric wings, and a movable neck covered in fabric. The wings and neck are manipulated with strings that extend down behind the mask. The mask is painted with heavy black eyebrows, an animal figure design on the forehead in black, blue and red, a green nose with a blue tip and red nostrils, an orange finger-like design beside the eyes, a black moustache, red lips, and another animal design on the cheeks in blue, black and red. The bird figure has a canvas back, wings and neck, all painted with blue-green and black, and the remainder of the body is off-white. The bird's head is medium and dark grey with white spots, and dark green with a border of exposed natural wood around the mirrored glass eyes. The beak is light green with orange at the edges.
Narrative
Was last used at Fort Rupert in 1922. It was painted at that time (C. George, 1966). See Boas, 1895, p. 374.
Iconographic Meaning
Represents Undersea Chief, Komokwa: Q!umugwe', with diver on head.
Item History
- Made by Charlie George Sr. (Maker) in British Columbia, Canada before 1952
- Collected in Village Island, British Columbia, Canada and 'Mimkwamlis, British Columbia, Canada
- Owned by Jim Charlie before March 1952
- Received from Jim Charlie (Seller) and H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) during March 1952
What
Who
- Culture
- Kwakwaka'wakw
- Creator
- Charlie George Sr. (Maker)
- Previous Owner
- Jim Charlie
- Received from
- Jim Charlie (Seller) and H. R. MacMillan (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in
- Village Island, British Columbia, Canada and 'Mimkwamlis, British Columbia, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- before 1952
- Ownership Date
- before March 1952
- Acquisition Date
- during March 1952
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Current Location
- Case 11
- Accession Number
- 1850/0001 a