The Elizabeth Cole Butler Collection.

The Elizabeth Cole Butler Collection.

During the nineteenth century, frontlet headdresses became the principal style of ceremonial headdress throughout the Northwest Coast. They were worn by high-ranking individuals who shook bird down out of the crown of the headdress as they danced, causing it to drift and swirl around both dancer and audience. These headdresses usually incorporate a carved wooden plaque that represents a crest animal or mythical being; Bella Coola examples are often deeply carved to represent birds. Inlaid pieces of abalone shell framing the plaque are meant to sparkle dramatically as the wearer of the headdress moves. This frontlet headdress is topped with a crown of sea lion whiskers and finished with rows of ermine skins trailing off the back.

Gift of Mrs. E.W. St. Pierre.

Museum Purchase: Indian Collection Subscription Fund, Rasmussen Collection of Northwest Coast Indian Art.

Museum Purchase: Indian Collection Subscription Fund, Rasmussen Collection of Northwest Coast Indian Art.

Gift of Mrs. Ferdinand C. Smith and Mr. L. Hawley Hoffman.

Mask made of carved wood, animal skin and cloth. The face is painted orange, and displays an open mouth, small nose with a curved bridge and flared nostrils, small eye holes bored through the wood and lined with fibres, wide fibre-covered brows, and large ears to the sides. A small tuft of hair is glued to the upper lip for a mustache and paper has been inserted into the mouth to create teeth behind the lower lip. The head is covered with a thick cotton fabric lined with burlap that covers the wearer’s head and neck. Large course stiches are incorporated, as well as a rope made of plant fibre and a piece of red and white cotton fabric. Parts b and c are pieces of hardened skin with long, light brown hair attached.

Mask made of carved wood, animal skin and cloth. The face is painted orange, and displays an open mouth, small nose, eye holes bored through the wood, and rounded ears to the sides. Tufts of hair are glued to the upper lip for a mustache and wool is attached around the eyes and for brows. A strip of wood is inserted into the mouth for teeth, unpainted, and white paper is set inside the eyes with holes torn in the centre to allow the wearer to see. Long black goat hair is attached to the top of the head. Flowered fabrics hang from the chin and back.

Mask made of carved wood, animal skin, cloth and feathers. The face is painted orange, and displays an open mouth, small rectangular nose, small eye holes bored through the wood, and small ears to the sides. Tufts of hair are glued to the upper lip for a mustache. Three lines are drawn to the outside of each eye, and a half circle with two groups of three lines sits between the eyebrows, which are small pieces of hide. Small carved wooden teeth, unpainted, are attached inside the mouth, and white paper is set inside the eyes with holes torn in the centre to allow the wearer to see. Short-haired goat hide is attached around the edges of the mask with crown of head left bald, and to it at the back is sewn light brown cotton fabric that covers the head of the wearer. Atop the mask is a group of tall brown feathers.