Mask

Item number A8376 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

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Data
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Description

Carved mask, mostly unpainted. Male face carved with grimacing expression; some teeth missing; some painted red or black. Incised lines across forehead and double lines for nose; several lines at both sides of chin; carved out cheeks and eye areas. Loop of cedar bark through hole at top. Two rectangular-shaped holes at either side.

History Of Use

Nutsq'lhuus; supernatural clown or laughing face mask. Usually has missing teeth; used to make the audience feel better, in between more serious dances. The dancer uses this mask to imitate other dancers and make people laugh; still in use.

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?