Karen Anderson (Nuxalk elder), Ian Reid (Heiltsuk) and Jennifer Kramer (anthropologist) of the delegation from Bella Bella, Bella Coola and Rivers Inlet communities of British Columbia made the following comments during the Recovering Voices Community Research Visit May 20th - 24th, 2013. The mask almost looks Inuit, unsure how it would be worn. It is possible that it was a clown due to its nose.

Attributed to Charles Edenshaw by M. Barbeau - see catalog card.From card: "Chest; argillite; carved in relief; non-Indian wood bottom. "Front and back, Hoorts, the bear; on the ends, Helinga, the thunderbird. Top, Wasko, the mythological wolf." Swan. Attributed to Charles Edenshaw by M. Barbeau. Oct. 1973. From the attached original card, it appears this item had been intended to be sent away in exchange, but the item is still in the museum collection. R. Elder. Illus. in USNM AR, 1888; Pl. 44, fig. 243, p. 319. Loaned Renwick Ga. 11-7-73, loan returned 8-24-76 ..." (continued, see cards.)Robin K. Wright, Burke Museum, says "I believe this argillite chest is by Zacherias Nicholas, formerly known as the “Master of the Chicago Settee”

FROM 19TH OR EARLY 20TH CENTURY EXHIBIT LABEL WITH CARD: "HEAD-DRESS.---LEATHER BAND, 1 1/4 INCHES WIDE, 20 INCHES IN CIRCUMFERENCE, TO WHICH ARE ATTACHED IN FRONT THE HEAD, ON SIDES THE WINGS, AND BEHIND THE TAIL OF A BIRD CARVED FROM WOOD AND PAINTED TO REPRESENT THE PARTS OF A BIRD RESPECTIVELY. WORN IN CEREMONIAL DANCES OF MAKAH INDIANS, NEAH BAY. LENGTH, 22 INS. SPREAD OF WINGS, 18 INS., WASHINGTON TERRITORY, 1876. 23,361. COLLECTED BY J. G. SWAN."

From card: "Carved."Columbia River/Wasco/Wishram style horn bowl.

Entry for this piece (under original # 20) in accession record list from donor/collector L. A. Beardslee calls it a shaman's wand and also says "octopus arm? pattern?" (the 2 words after octopus are hard to decipher in this handwritten list.)