Mask Item Number: A4283 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Carved, wooden, raven headdress, or mask. Long beak with green, circular, cutout nostrils. The beak is hinged with wooden pegs. The beak is painted black with split U-forms, there is red edging and white detailing. There is a red stylized split U-form around the nostrils. The eyes are white, outlined in black on a green, ovoid shaped background; brow is black. Attached to the top of the head are short strips of cedar bark creating a fringe that sits on top and longer, twisted strips that hang down over the a piece of wood meant to hold the mask on to the wearer. There are a couple pieces of eagle down in the cedar. The inside of the mask is hollow with the exception of a rectangular piece of wood and an attached twine cord that assistants the beak in opening and shutting. The mask is painted black, red, green and white with Northwest Coast stylized designs.

History Of Use

Worn by female attendant, hiligaxste', in taming the Hamats!a.

Cultural Context

ceremonial

Iconographic Meaning

Represents Raven at the north end of the world, Gwaxgwaxwalanuxsiwe', one of the servants of Baxbakwakanuxsiwe', cannibal at the north end of the world.

Item History

What

Name
Mask
Identification Number
A4283
Type of Item
mask
Material
wood, cedar bark, paint, fibre, metal and feather
Manufacturing Technique
carved, nailed, painted and pegged
Overall
height 16.0 cm, width 23.8 cm, depth 42.1 cm

Who

Culture
Kwakwaka'wakw
Creator
John Davis (Maker)
Previous Owner
Joe Johnny
Received from
Joe Johnny (Seller) and H. R. MacMillan (Funding source)

Where

Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
Made in
British Columbia, Canada
Collected in
Smith Inlet, British Columbia, Canada and Takus, British Columbia, Canada

When

Creation Date
before 1939
Ownership Date
before April 21, 1953
Acquisition Date
on April 21, 1953

Other

Condition
good
Current Location
Case 35
Accession Number
1949/0001