Frontlet Item Number: A3605 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Frontlet carved with three-dimensional central figure. Figure has wings but human-like face. Another smaller face between wings. Abalone inlay used for eyes, mouth, wings and inlays around border. Paint colours are blue, red and black. Carving goes right through the wood, in the neck area.
History Of Use
Among the Kwakwa̠ka̠’wakw, a frontlet or forehead mask like this is known as a pak̠iwe’. Its name changes to ya̠x̠wiwe’ (“dancing on the forehead”) when it is part of the full headdress — including a cylindrical crown with sea-lion whiskers at the top and an ermine-skin trailer — that is featured in the T’ła’sa̠la or Peace Dances (also known as the Dluwa̠lax̠a or Returned-from-Heaven Dances).
Cultural Context
ceremonial
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada before 1951
- Collected in Fort Rupert, British Columbia, Canada and Tsaxis, British Columbia, Canada
- Owned by Jonathan Hunt before November 1951
- Received from Jonathan Hunt (Seller) and H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) during November 1951
What
Who
- Culture
- Kwakwaka'wakw
- Previous Owner
- Jonathan Hunt
- Received from
- Jonathan Hunt (Seller) and H. R. MacMillan (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in
- Fort Rupert, British Columbia, Canada and Tsaxis, British Columbia, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- before 1951
- Ownership Date
- before November 1951
- Acquisition Date
- during November 1951
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Current Location
- Case 41
- Accession Number
- 1913/0005