Mask

Item number A17138 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

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Description

Carved wooden, crooked beak mask (parts a-b). The face (part a) has red and green flared nostrils with a central frill that curls down into the middle of the nose. The mouth (part b) is red, flat, protruding and was hinged to the head with thin rectangular pieces of leather. The face is black with white edging and detailing; black and red outlined eyes on a green, ovoid shaped background; brow is black. The inside of the mask is hollow. Attached to the top ridge are small tufts of cedar stripes. The mask is painted black, green, red and white with Northwest Coast stylized forms.

History Of Use

Worn by women dancers, the mask was distinguished by the elaborate carving over the nostril.

Narrative

Innovative Kwakwaka'wakw artists took advantage of new colours when available, such as the addition of maroon and grey colours to the traditional black, white and red used on these masks.