Mask Item Number: A5304 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Carved wooden, crooked beak mask. The beak has red and white, ovoid shaped nostrils outlined with a red ovoid on a white septum; white incised detailing on the surface of the nostril. Running from the brow is a large, protruding, central black and white circular frill that projects upwards and curves downwards to the tip of the beak; white detailing along with a red ovoid. The mouth is red, flat, wide and protruding; black u-forms outlined in white along the upper edge. Behind the beak many white c-shapes. The underside of the beak is black decorated with a white figure and other shapes; hinged with rectangular pieces of leather. The eyes are black, outlined in white and red on a green ovoid shaped ground; the brow is black. The inside of the mask is hollow with the exception of pieces of fibre twine to articulate the beak. Attached to the top are two strips of wood; one is broken. The mask is painted black, white, red and green with Northwest Coast stylized forms.
History Of Use
Worn by Hamats!a dancer.
Iconographic Meaning
Represents Crooked Beak of Heaven, Gugwze, servant of Cannibal at the North End of the World, Baxbakwalanuksiwe'.
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada
- Owned by Walter C. Koerner before 1972
- Received from Walter C. Koerner (Donor) during 1972
What
- Name
- Mask
- Identification Number
- A5304
- Type of Item
- mask
- Material
- cedar wood, paint, fibre, metal and leather skin
- Manufacturing Technique
- carved and painted
- Overall
- height 25.5 cm, width 21.9 cm, depth 79.3 cm
Who
- Culture
- Kwakwaka'wakw
- Previous Owner
- Walter C. Koerner
- Received from
- Walter C. Koerner (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
When
- Ownership Date
- before 1972
- Acquisition Date
- during 1972
Other
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 35
- Accession Number
- 0160/0055