Sxwayxwey Mask
Item number A6813 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.
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Description
Snake-face mask with protruding cylindrical eyes. Two snake heads on top of mask and one which appears to be the nose. Unpainted.
History Of Use
Used in cleansing ceremonies: during marriage, after a death, or for the bestowing of a name.
Iconographic Meaning
Snake face mask with "lidded eyes in sockets that merge above the nose and run off the top of the head. The nose is the beast's head, with blunt snout and open mouth, facing upward. A ridge, with stripes across and running off it, extends around the eye sockets, and circles represent the body of the snake. The horns are muzzled beasts, also identified as snakes (Suttles 1982:60)."
Item History
- Made by Andrew Charles (Maker) in Musqueam, British Columbia, Canada during 1954
- Owned by Andrew Charles before 1954
- Received from Andrew Charles (Seller) and Museum Purchase (Funding source) during 1954
What
- Name
- Sxwayxwey Mask
- Identification Number
- A6813
- Type of Item
- mask
- Material
- wood
- Manufacturing Technique
- carved
- Overall
- height 53.3 cm, width 33.7 cm, depth 22.2 cm
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Musqueam, British Columbia, Canada
Who
- Culture
- Coast Salish: Musqueam
- Creator
- Andrew Charles (Maker)
- Previous Owner
- Andrew Charles
- Received from
- Andrew Charles (Seller) and Museum Purchase (Funding source)
When
- Creation Date
- during 1954
- Ownership Date
- before 1954
- Acquisition Date
- during 1954
Other
- Accession Number
- 2098/0002
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