Mask Item Number: A7957 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Mask of a woman's face with a swiveling bird on top. The red-brown face has circular cut out hole eyes outlined by black and surrounded by a white tapering oval with black brows above and a vertical ridge in between up to the black hairline. The nostrils are cut out as is the open white mouth. The cheeks are painted with a pair of black u forms. The bird on top has black tapering oval eyes surrounded by a plain carved tapering oval with a black head, a red-brown beak and body, and brown fur for the wings. The bird is perched on white feathers. Skin strips are tied around the back at the top and at either side with mulit-coloured patterned cloth and a wood stick.
History Of Use
Nax nok mask. A cosmic being gave a particular strength called nax nok to deserving individuals, whose nax nok would be revealed in visions or dreams. Often a chief would publically reveal his or her nax nok at a feast or during cultural performances.
Narrative
Collected at Kitzegutlah by Wilhelm Helmer.
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in Kitsegukla, British Columbia, Canada
- Owned by Douglas Wesley
- Owned by Wilhelm Helmer before May 23, 1962
- Received from Wilhelm Helmer (Seller) and H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) on May 23, 1962
What
Who
- Culture
- Gitxsan
- Previous Owner
- Douglas Wesley and Wilhelm Helmer
- Received from
- Wilhelm Helmer (Seller) and H. R. MacMillan (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in
- Kitsegukla, British Columbia, Canada
When
- Ownership Date
- before May 23, 1962
- Acquisition Date
- on May 23, 1962
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Current Location
- Case 19
- Accession Number
- 0075/0002