Gwaxwaml (Raven mask)

ca. 1890

The 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.

Red cedar, paint, graphite

8 1/2 x 9 1/4 x 37 1/2 in. (21.59 x 23.5 x 95.25 cm)

Gift of John H. Hauberg

83.224

Provenance: [Carlebach Gallery, New York, New York], in 1960; John H. Hauberg, Seattle, Washington, 1960-1983; Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, Washington

Photo: Elizabeth Mann

Now on view at the Seattle Art Museum

Resources

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, 2018

Published ReferencesThe Spirit Within: Northwest Coast Native Art from the John H. Hauberg Collection, Seattle Art Museum, 1995, pg. 216

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Gwaxwaml (Raven mask)

Gwaxwaml (Raven mask)

Related Works

Resources