Dance Screen Item Number: A6270 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Large dance screen with black designs on natural coloured ground. There is a Sisiutl design on the bottom, topped with a copper design containing a styalized form (whale?). There are two ravens, one on each side of the copper. There are several stamps in red and blue in the top right corner: ‘Wabasso’, ‘Made in Canada’, ‘Snow Drift Bleach’, ‘Longcloth’, ‘Pride of West’ and ‘Absolute Pure’.
History Of Use
Used as a screen to close off the rear part of the house, providing a space for masks and other ceremonial gear to be placed in readiness for the dancers. Entrance of the dancers is from right, exit to the left.
Iconographic Meaning
Represents Sisiutl, rainbow, copper and two ravens (J. Seaweed, 1966).
Narrative
May have originally belonged to Billy MacDuff? (B. Scow, 1966).
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada before 1953
- Collected in Hope Island, British Columbia, Canada and Xwamdasbe', British Columbia, Canada
- Owned by Chief Jim Humchitt before October 20, 1953
- Received from Chief Jim Humchitt (Seller) and H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) on October 20, 1953
What
- Name
- Dance Screen
- Identification Number
- A6270
- Type of Item
- screen
- Material
- cotton fibre and paint
- Manufacturing Technique
- painted
- Overall
- height 2.7 m, width 4.0 m
Who
- Culture
- Kwakwaka'wakw
- Previous Owner
- Chief Jim Humchitt
- Received from
- Chief Jim Humchitt (Seller) and H. R. MacMillan (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in
- Hope Island, British Columbia, Canada and Xwamdasbe', British Columbia, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- before 1953
- Ownership Date
- before October 20, 1953
- Acquisition Date
- on October 20, 1953
Other
- Item Classes
- textiles
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 1992/0008