Mask

Item number A8327 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

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Description

Carved wooden, crooked beak mask. The beak has red and white, ovoid shaped, cutout nostrils outlined in black and white. Running from the brow is a large, protruding, central black and white circular frill that projects upwards and curves downwards to the middle of the beak; detailed with repeating black and brown u-forms. The mouth is red, flat, wide and protruding. Behind the beak are two large, brown u-forms carved in relief. The underside of the beak is detailed with a bird figure with painted facial features and a circular beak that projects out then curves into the middle of the mouth. The bottom parts of the beak are hinged with rectangular pieces of leather. The eyes are black, outlined in white and red on a white ovoid shaped ground; the brow is black. Behind the eye are two red and white u-forms. The inside of the mask is hollow with the exception of pieces of fibre twine to articulate the beak. The top and sides have cedar braids and small bundles; longer strips hang down the back. Attached to the top are two triangular-like shaped ears with circular tips. The mask is painted black, white, red and brown with Northwest Coast stylized forms.

History Of Use

Crooked beak mask, made to be worn by a Hamatsa dancer.

Iconographic Meaning

Represents Crooked Beak of Heaven, Galugwadzawe', servant of Cannibal at the North End of the World, Baxbakwalanuksiwe'.

Narrative

Said to be the last Hamatsa mask carved by Willie Seaweed. Part of a collection of masks, whistles, etc. transfered at the time of Tom Hunt's marriage to Emma Moody. Tom Hunt gave a cash potlatch to Fort Rupert, Quatsino and Blunden Harbour people. Holm said the mask was made for the potlatch, about 20 years after their marriage. There was a controversy concerning the proper payment procedures for carving the mask, so the owner was advised to sell it as the transfer had been shamed. It was never used. See Holm's "Smoky-Top," page 120, where there is a photograph of the artist with the partially carved mask.