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This information was automatically generated from data provided by MOA: University of British Columbia. It has been standardized to aid in finding and grouping information within the RRN. Accuracy and meaning should be verified from the Data Source tab.

Description

Carved wooden, double headed Hamatsa mask consisting of crooked beak and raven mask joined at the back of each. Both have red, ovoid shaped cutout nostrils with red and white detailing around it. Both have a red mouth; one is long, narrow and protruding the other is flat, square shaped and protruding. On underside of crooked beak's lower jaw is a small carved thunderbird ? face with a beak that curves back into the open mouth; small bundles of cedar decorate the top edge of face. The eyes are black ovoids, outlined in white and red on a green ovoid shaped ground; the brow is black. The inside is hollow with the exception of twine which articulates the mask. Both masks have twisted cedar rope around the crown; crooked beak has cedar rope along the edge of the frill. Cedar bark and feathers decorate the top of both heads; tufts of eagle down intertwined. Attached to the top of the crooked beak are two black wooden horns that curl at the top; detailed with a red circle. The mask is painted black, red and white with Northwest Coast stylized forms.

History Of Use

Worn by Hamats!a dancer.

Iconographic Meaning

Represents Crooked Beak of Heaven, Galugwadzawe', and Raven at the north end of the world, Gwaxgwaxwalanuxsiwe', servants of Cannibal at the north end of the world.

Narrative

Mask came from Joe Seaweed's wife's family. According to Bill Holm in "Smoky Top" this mask was made by Seaweed to replace an earlier version that he sold.

Item History

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