Mask Item Number: A1961 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

A painted wood face mask with a sloping forehead joined to a protruding nose that has yellow nostrils that are red inside. The cut out circular eyes are black in a tapering white oval surrounded by a green area. The red lips are full and flat and are surrounded by a yellow area. The face is black with a yellow halo-like feature around the head that has five segments along the top.

Narrative

Cultural origin uncertain; the Raley catalogue lists it as a 'West Coast' (i.e., Nuu-chah-nulth). Halibut mask". However photos in the RBCM Archives (#PN16710-11), show the mask in the Mary Sieburth Collection, and the information suggests a possible Salish origin? Photo 16710 (which shows the mask with a model pole) says the following: "Mayors Office, City Hall. For Warspite vessel in port. Chief Dan George, Deep Cove Burrard Indians danced and presented to Captain of Warspite. My Totem Pole accepted - Dr. Raley's Mask rejected....I donated it - Mary's drive." Photo 16711 is only the mask, described as Coast Salish. The writing on the back says: "Indian mask. Donated by me Mary McNeill Clark Sieburth. Presented at Vancouver City Hall in aid of the Marys of Canada Spitfire Fund."

Item History

What

Name
Mask
Identification Number
A1961
Type of Item
mask
Material
wood and paint
Manufacturing Technique
carved and painted
Overall
height 31.0 cm, width 24.0 cm, depth 17.0 cm

Who

Culture
Nuu-chah-nulth ? or Coast Salish ?
Previous Owner
Mary Sieburth and George H. Raley
Received from
H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) and George H. Raley (Seller)

Where

Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
Made in
British Columbia, Canada

When

Creation Date
between 1850 and 1934
Collection Date
between 1893 and 1934
Ownership Date
before November 1948
Acquisition Date
during November 1948

Other

Condition
good
Accession Number
1960/0252