Mask Item Number: A4319 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Mask with circular eyes, bulbous nose, and open mouth. Painted white with black eyebrows, black circular eyes with red and black rims, red nostrils with a red line across the nose, a black moustache in two parts with curled ends, red lips, and a black chin. An off-white cord is attached on the reverse at the sides and top centre of the rim.
Cultural Context
ceremonial
Iconographic Meaning
May represent one of the characters of gadaxanis, a Tlingit dance acquired by the Kwakwaka'wakw. There are 8 masked dancers representing a chief and his slaves.
Also identified, along with A4320, as an intruder mask by visiting Gwasala Nakwaxda'xw people to the Museum of Anthropology.
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada before 1953
- Collected in Blunden Harbour, British Columbia, Canada and Ba'as, British Columbia, Canada
- Owned by Johnny Nolie before May 20, 1953
- Received from H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) and Johnny Nolie (Seller) on May 20, 1953
What
Who
- Culture
- Kwakwaka'wakw
- Previous Owner
- Johnny Nolie
- Received from
- H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) and Johnny Nolie (Seller)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in
- Blunden Harbour, British Columbia, Canada and Ba'as, British Columbia, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- before 1953
- Ownership Date
- before May 20, 1953
- Acquisition Date
- on May 20, 1953
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 1943/0002