Mask Item Number: A8370 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Small carved wooden mask of bird-like figure with beak and bulbous forehead. Mask is painted white with black spots, and blue features. A round wooden section with hole sits on top, and there are three holes down each side, likely to help secure mask to the face.
History Of Use
Possibly a child's mask. Skaaxka, "...a little bird that hangs around the river-bank. and is a greenish-grey color dots: it is also called by the name 'maxwat alakaa.' This mask was used in between serious dances to make people feel good" [Axtsiqaic (Agnes Edgar), Deadman's Creek Reserve, 1972].
Narrative
In 1959 John Davenport Clayton sold this collection of Bella Coola belongings (A8360-A8376) to the Campbell River Historical Society (Museum). The collection comprised 17 masks, headdresses, and other ceremonial items, as well as 3 cedar boxes. In 1963 the Campbell River Museum sold the 17 masks and ceremonial items to MOA (not the boxes). Objects in this collection may have come from Nuxalk households via sale, or exchange (as collateral towards money owed on goods purchased at the store), or may have been placed with the Claytons for secure storage during a time of floods and fires, and ended up remaining with the Clayton family?
Item History
- Made in Bella Coola, British Columbia, Canada
- Collected between 1890 and 1910
- Owned by John Davenport Clayton before 1959
- Owned by Campbell River & District Historical Society before April 17, 1963
- Received from Campbell River & District Historical Society (Seller) and H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) on April 17, 1963
What
Who
- Culture
- Nuxalk
- Previous Owner
- John Davenport Clayton and Campbell River & District Historical Society
- Received from
- Campbell River & District Historical Society (Seller) and H. R. MacMillan (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Bella Coola, British Columbia, Canada
When
- Collection Date
- between 1890 and 1910
- Ownership Date
- before 1959 and before April 17, 1963
- Acquisition Date
- on April 17, 1963
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Current Location
- Case 12
- Accession Number
- 0099/0011