Mask Item Number: A4176 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Mourner mask. Mask depicts a human face with two horizontal orange lines on forehead and one on chin. Lower part of nose and lips are orange, also an orange design from temple to temple over the eyes and across the bridge of the nose. Two copper strips, representing tears, run down from the corners of each eye. Eyebrows are black.
History Of Use
Mourning masks, such as this, were worn by the family of the deceased while the mourning songs were being sung, according to D. Roberts, 1966.
Cultural Context
ceremonial
Iconographic Meaning
The copper strips on the cheeks represent tears.
Narrative
Previously belonged to Jim Charlie's father and said to be not less than 70 years old.
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada before 1952
- Collected in Village Island, British Columbia, Canada and 'Mimkwamlis, British Columbia, Canada
- Owned by Jim Charlie before December 16, 1952
- Received from Jim Charlie (Seller) and H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) on December 16, 1952
What
Who
- Culture
- Kwakwaka'wakw
- Previous Owner
- Jim Charlie
- Received from
- Jim Charlie (Seller) and H. R. MacMillan (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in
- Village Island, British Columbia, Canada and 'Mimkwamlis, British Columbia, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- before 1952
- Ownership Date
- before December 16, 1952
- Acquisition Date
- on December 16, 1952
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Current Location
- Case 27
- Accession Number
- 1849/0006