Mask Item Number: A4250 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Carved wooden, crooked beak mask. The beak has large red ovoid shaped nostrils with black and orange split u forms on either side. Running from the brow is a large central black frill that protrudes outward and curves downwards to the centre of the beak; decorated with cutout black and white u-forms and two cutout s-shapes. The mouth is red, flat and protruding. The underside of the beak is black with a white u-form. The bottom parts of the beak are hinged with rectangular pieces of leather. The eyes are black, outlined in white and red on a white ovoid shaped ground; brow is black. The inside of the mask is hollow with the exception of pieces of fibre twine that articulates the beak. The inner top has small bundles of small stripes of cedar bark with two white feather intertwined. The mask is painted black, white, orange and red with Northwest Coast stylized forms.
History Of Use
Worn by Hamats!a dancer.
Narrative
Said to have been made for George Walkus of Smith Inlet. One of twelve belongings loaned back for the Dawson family potlatch in Alert Bay, Aug 2019. The mask was danced during the event.
Iconographic Meaning
Crooked Beak mask.
Item History
- Made by Charlie George Sr. (Maker) in British Columbia, Canada during 1899
- Collected in Kingcome Inlet, British Columbia, Canada and Ukwanalis, British Columbia, Canada
- Owned by Chief George Walkus
- Owned by William Dawson before March 1953
- Received from William Dawson (Seller) and H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) during March 1953
What
Who
- Culture
- Kwakwaka'wakw
- Creator
- Charlie George Sr. (Maker)
- Previous Owner
- Chief George Walkus and William Dawson
- Received from
- William Dawson (Seller) and H. R. MacMillan (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in
- Kingcome Inlet, British Columbia, Canada and Ukwanalis, British Columbia, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- during 1899
- Ownership Date
- before March 1953
- Acquisition Date
- during March 1953
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Current Location
- Case 37
- Accession Number
- 2313/0002