Copper Portrait Mask
Datec.1884
Mediumcopper, cedar, cedar root ( probably spruce root )
DimensionsOther: 7.5 × 8 cm (2 15/16 × 3 1/8 in.)
ClassificationsCeremonial Objects
Terms
Paper Field ReferencesCMH VII-B-108
Object numberHRC 00108
Descriptionhuman face in copper. eyebrows, eyes and lips painted black - paint badly chipped off. hole in centre of eyes. lips extend downward with narrow opening to part them. not flat surface cheek, eye hollows, nose and chin protrude to indicate realism. the colouring is blackish copper. the mask is a gently rounded sheet. there appears a molding. the top edge is eroded. whitish down. at back cedar root ( spruce root? ) twists to form a tie, cedar root tie is attached through 1 hole on either edge of mask. also copper wire in half square frame is attached to holes by thin wire strands. also a longer vertical thin copper wire is twisted through a bottom hole and around centre of heavier wire frame.description in 'Haida Art' - a copper mask, evidently used in rituals since there is a fringe of eagle down glued with pine pitch around the outer edge. this mask was said to have been dug up at an ancient village site at the south end of Masset Inlet and reused in a ceremony at Massett Village.
Exhibition HistoryChildren of the Raven VMMB E9.0.34/c (11-75) - (7-81)Published References'Haida Art' George MacDonald, page 36/37 (description)
On View
Not on viewCollections
1895-1901
C. 1879
c. 1884
c. 1879
c. 1879
C. 1879
C. 1879
c. 1879
c. 1879
c. 1879
