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Images(5)

Transformation Mask

DateC. 1879

Mediumwood, paint, twine, vegetable fibre?, metal, skin, spruce gum?, feathers?, sinew

DimensionsOther: 20 × 13 × 67.5 cm (7 7/8 × 5 1/8 × 26 9/16 in.)

ClassificationsCeremonial Objects

Terms

Paper Field ReferencesCMH VII-B-24

Object numberHRC 00024

Descriptionmask, transformation type, consists of three separate parts each made from a single piece of wood, then secured together with twine, sinew and skin strips, with interior portions carved and painted in red, black and green to represent head and wings of a bird, and exterior portions painted with facial features in profile in red and white. central part of mask ( when open ) represents a bird's head in frontal view carved in high relief to represent a hawk. unpainted upper edge is a convex curve, red painted lower edge is a concave curve, and lateral edges are straight. concave reverse of head is unpainted and bevelled along upper and lower edges. green paint worn particularly from forehead: brittle cracked patches of gold-coloured residue ( spruce gum? ) along edges of appendages; twine and skin strips worn and dirty, sinew dirty and brittle, feathers/ missing from holes along edges, metal nails rusted, wood discoloured, wood cracked around nail in rectangular piece of wood at back of head, skin ear possibly missing and present one is torn loose at one corner, metal (?) in sinister eye res(?) with glue.
Exhibition HistoryHeard Museum Phoenix, Arizona (8-61) - (3-62) NGC Mexico (10-60) - (3-61)Published ReferencesGodrey, W.E Birds of Canada NMC Bulletin 203. Mosquito hawk is a common nighthawk, small bill, enormous mouth, mottled gray-brown, white patch across wing and throat, most active at dusk, prefers open country. Gunther, Erna Art in the Life of the Northwest Coast Indian The Portland Art Museum, 1966, 116-134 (masks) British Columbia Heritage Series, No. 1, Vol. 4 Haida Provincial Archives, B.CP.M, Victoria, 1952, 40. The masks were carvved from spruce or yellow cedar, usually had heraldic significance or referred to legendary creatures. Machon, M.J Masks of the North-West Coast Publications in Primitive Art 2, Milwaukee Public Museum, 1965

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