Mask Item Number: A6169 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Wooden, carved, bird mask with a long beak and circular cutout nostrils. The beak is hinged with pieces of leather on either side, nailed to the lower mouth. The beak and nostrils are painted black with red edging and white detailing. The eye is outlined in black on a white, ovoid shaped background; eyebrow is black. The top of the head is decorated with cedar bark fringe with long strips of cedar running down the back. The inside of the mask is hollow with the exception of a rectangular, wooden handle and attached twine cords. The mask is painted black, red and white with Northwest Coast stylized designs.
History Of Use
Worn by Hamats!a.
Iconographic Meaning
Represents Raven at the north end of the world, Gwaxgwaxwalanuxsiwe', one of the servants of cannibal at the north end of the world: Baxwbakwalanuxsiwe'.
Cultural Context
ceremonial
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada before 1953
- Collected in Smith Inlet, British Columbia, Canada and Takus, British Columbia, Canada
- Owned by Joe Johnny before June 16, 1953
- Received from Joe Johnny (Seller) and H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) on June 16, 1953
What
- Name
- Mask
- Identification Number
- A6169
- Type of Item
- mask
- Material
- fibre, cedar bark, metal, wood, paint and leather skin
- Manufacturing Technique
- carved and painted
- Overall
- height 56.4 cm, width 26.6 cm, depth 72.3 cm
Who
- Culture
- Kwakwaka'wakw
- Previous Owner
- Joe Johnny
- Received from
- Joe Johnny (Seller) and H. R. MacMillan (Funding source)
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 June 16, 1953
- Acquisition Date
- on June 16, 1953
Other
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 35
- Accession Number
- 1950/0003