Gwaxwaml (Raven mask)
Dateca. 1890
Label TextThe elemental style of this (and the Nuxalk Raven forehead mask on this platform) harken to the late 19th century, before bright colors and carved embellishments were introduced. The original feathers atop the mask and full bird-skin cloak—as depicted in the Edward S. Curtis photograph of 1914—indicate that this was possibly used during the tla’sala dances, and not for the hamat’sa society dances that featured the Raven man-eater mask.
Object number83.224
Provenance[Carlebach Gallery, New York, New York], in 1960; John H. Hauberg, Seattle, Washington, 1960-1983; Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, Washington
Photo CreditPhoto: Elizabeth Mann
Exhibition HistoryBellingham, Washington, Whatcom Museum of History and Art, Arts of A Vanished Era, June 12 - Oct. 31, 1968
London, England, Sacred Circles, Hayward Gallery; Tour: Nelson Gallery, Kansas City, Kansas, 1976-1977
Seattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, Volunteer Park, Shadowy Evidence: The Photography of Edward S. Curtis, Aug. 11 - Nov. 19, 1989
Seattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, Double Exposure: Edward S. Curtis, Marianne Nicolson, Tracy Rector, Will Wilson, June 4 – Sept. 9, 2018Published ReferencesThe Spirit Within: Northwest Coast Native Art from the John H. Hauberg Collection, Seattle Art Museum, 1995, pg. 216Credit LineGift of John H. Hauberg
Dimensions8 1/2 x 9 1/4 x 37 1/2 in. (21.59 x 23.5 x 95.25 cm)
MediumRed cedar, paint, graphite
Native American, Kwakwaka'wakw
ca. 1940
Object number: 91.1.13
Native American, Kwakwaka'wakw
early 20th century
Object number: 91.1.5