Mask Item Number: A6131 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Carved wooden, crooked beak headdress, or mask. The face has red flared nostrils with orange u-forms above and a central frill that curves down into the middle of the mouth. The mouth is red, flat and protruding; nailed shut. The face is black with white edging and detailing. The eyes are white outlined in black and red on a white, ovoid shaped ground; brow is black. The inside of the mask is hollow. Attached to the top ridge are small tufts of cedar stripes; longer strips are attached in the middle of the head and hang down. The mask is painted black, white, red and orange with Northwest Coast stylized forms.
History Of Use
Worn by female attendant, hiligaxste', in taming the Hamats!a dancer.
Iconographic Meaning
Represents Crooked Beak of Heaven, Galugwadzawe', one of the servants of cannibal at the north end of the world, Baxwbakwalanuxsiwe'.
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada before 1953
- Collected in Blunden Harbour, British Columbia, Canada and Ba'as, British Columbia, Canada
- Owned by Joe Seaweed before July 7, 1953
- Received from H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) and Joe Seaweed (Seller) on July 7, 1953
What
Who
- Culture
- Kwakwaka'wakw
- Previous Owner
- Joe Seaweed
- Received from
- H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) and Joe Seaweed (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 July 7, 1953
- Acquisition Date
- on July 7, 1953
Other
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 35
- Accession Number
- 1965/0001