Mask with Humanoid Face

ca. 1880

Celestial entities and allusions to cosmic occurrences figure prominently in Nuxalk ceremonials. This mask is reminiscent of another recorded as Xe’mtsiwa, herald of the dawn, and may have been worn by a kusiut dancer bearing this being’s name. It was thought that supernatural beings needed to be “awakened” and requested to make an appearance during ceremonies.

Alder, paint

12 5/8 x 11 3/8 in. (32.07 x 28.89 cm)

Gift of John H. Hauberg

91.1.36

Provenance: Micheal R. Johnson, Seattle, Washington, until 1972; John H. Hauberg, Seattle, Washington, 1972-1991; Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, Washington

Photo: Paul Macapia

Not currently on view

Resources

Published ReferencesThe Spirit Within: Northwest Coast Native Art from the John H. Hauberg Collection, Seattle Art Museum, 1995, pg. 190

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