Mask Item Number: A7476 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Carved, wooden, supernatural bird mask with a long beak and circular cutout nostrils. The beak is hinged with pieces of leather on either side, nailed to the jaw. The beak and nostrils are painted black with red edging and detailing. There is a red stylized U-form around the nostrils. The eyes are white, outlined in black on a white, ovoid shaped background; brow is black and there are three black U-forms along the back rim. Attached to the top of the head are short strips of cedar bark creating a fringe that sits on top and hangs over the opening. Attached with twine to the top, back and bottom rim is red and white twisted cloth. Strips of cedar line the bottom rim and dangle down to cover the body of the wearer. The inside of the mask is hollow with the exception of thick strip of fibre that lines the opening and an attached twine cord that assistants the beak in opening and shutting; cord is tied around a long, wooden handle. The mask is painted black, red and white with Northwest Coast stylized designs.
History Of Use
Worn by Hamats!a dancer.
Iconographic Meaning
Represents Raven at the north end of the world: Gwaxgwaxwanuxsiwe', one of the servants of Baxbakwalanuxsiwe', cannibal at the north end of the world.
May be Huxhukw, not gwaxwamlh (B. Willie, 1966).
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada before 1961
- Collected in Turnour Island, British Columbia, Canada and Kalugwis, British Columbia, Canada
- Owned by Edward F. Meade before May 1961
- Received from H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) and Edward F. Meade (Seller) during May 1961
What
- Name
- Mask
- Identification Number
- A7476
- Type of Item
- mask
- Material
- cedar bark, fibre, cotton fibre, wood, paint, leather skin and metal
- Manufacturing Technique
- carved, hinged, painted and nailed
- Overall
- height 29.2 cm, width 25.1 cm, depth 96.7 cm
Who
- Culture
- Kwakwaka'wakw
- Previous Owner
- Edward F. Meade
- Received from
- H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) and Edward F. Meade (Seller)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in
- Turnour Island, British Columbia, Canada and Kalugwis, British Columbia, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- before 1961
- Ownership Date
- before May 1961
- Acquisition Date
- during May 1961
Other
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 35
- Accession Number
- 0049/0006