Grave Figure Item Number: A408 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Carved wooden wolf head with protruding snout and drawn-back ears. At the end of the snout are two nostrils. The mouth is open with a tongue carved on the lower portion. The nostrils, eyes, inside the ear and mouth are painted red. The rest of the head is black. The neck of the figure ends in a flat, unpainted surface. Pencil inscription on back.
Cultural Context
burial; guardian spirit complex
Iconographic Meaning
The wolf as a guardian spirit is associated with hunting. It is also featured in a transformation story from New Westminster.
Narrative
The Burnett catalogue describes this as a "Carved figure from Indian grave - wolf head". On the base, in pencil, is written "Souvenir of walk to Coquitlam".
Item History
- Made in Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada before 1927
- Collected between 1920 and 1927
- Owned by Frank Burnett before 1927
- Received from Frank Burnett (Donor) on July 25, 1927
What
Who
- Culture
- Coast Salish: Kwikwetlem
- Previous Owner
- Frank Burnett
- Received from
- Frank Burnett (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- before 1927
- Collection Date
- between 1920 and 1927
- Ownership Date
- before 1927
- Acquisition Date
- on July 25, 1927
Other
- Item Classes
- carvings & sculpture
- Condition
- fair
- Current Location
- Case 6
- Accession Number
- 2191/0214