Mask
Item number A4133 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.
Public
RRN ID
Item Records
This page shows all the information we have about this item. Both the institution that physically holds this item, and RRN members have contributed the knowledge on this page. You’re looking at the item record provided by the holding institution. If you scroll further down the page, you’ll see the information from RRN members, and can share your own knowledge too.
The RRN processes the information it receives from each institution to make it more readable and easier to search. If you’re doing in-depth research on this item, be sure to take a look at the Data Source tab to see the information exactly as it was provided by the institution.
These records are easy to share because each has a unique web address. You can copy and paste the location from your browser’s address bar into an email, word document, or chat message to share this item with others.
- Data
- Data Source
This information was automatically generated from data provided by MOA: University of British Columbia. It has been standardized to aid in finding and grouping information within the RRN. Accuracy and meaning should be verified from the Data Source tab.
Description
Carved wooden, crooked beak mask with three smaller crooked beaked birds on the top and sides. Each small bird has an open beak and is detailed in a similar fashion to the larger mask. The beak has red u-shaped nostrils detailed with white s-shapes and a central frill that protrudes out and curves inward to the centre of the beak. The mouth is red, flat and protruding; bottom part of jaw is hinged with rectangular pieces of leather. The face is black with white and red detailing. The eyes are white outlined in black and red on a white, ovoid shaped ground; brow is black. The inside of the mask is hollow with the exception of twisted fibre twine to secure the mask to the head. Attached to the top and side edges are short, bundled cedar stripes. 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 Baxbakwalanuxsiwe', cannibal at the north end of the world.
Narrative
Inherited from Sarah Johnson's grandfather, Leslie Nelson to his son Alex Nelson, to Alex's son Leslie Nelson, to Alex's grandson William Johnson Jr., who was supposed to be dancing with it in 1950, but someone else danced for him. It is an old Nelson family 'heirloom' from Kingcome.
Item History
- Made by Jim Howard (Maker) in British Columbia, Canada before 1940
- Collected in Hopetown, British Columbia, Canada and Hegam's, British Columbia, Canada
- Owned by Alex Nelson and Leslie Nelson
- Owned by Sarah Johnson before October 1952
- Received from Sarah Johnson (Seller) during October 1952
What
- Name
- Mask
- Identification Number
- A4133
- Type of Item
- mask
- Material
- wood, cedar bark, paint, metal, leather skin and fibre
- Manufacturing Technique
- carved, painted and nailed
- Overall
- height 44.2 cm, width 35.4 cm, depth 60.2 cm
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in
- Hopetown, British Columbia, Canada and Hegam's, British Columbia, Canada
Who
- Culture
- Kwakwaka'wakw
- Creator
- Jim Howard (Maker)
- Previous Owner
- Alex Nelson, Leslie Nelson and Sarah Johnson
- Received from
- Sarah Johnson (Seller)
When
- Creation Date
- before 1940
- Ownership Date
- before October 1952
- Acquisition Date
- during October 1952
Other
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 37
- Accession Number
- 2316/0001
Ask a question
Let the RRN community answer your questions
Public
With an account, you can ask other users a question about this item. Request an Account
Shared Knowledge
Share your knowlege of this item with the RRN community
Public
With an account, you can submit information about this item and have it visible to all users and institutions on the RRN. Request an Account
Similar Items
