Mask of Huxwhukw (Cannibal Bird)
ca. 1940
Cannibal Bird masks dance exuberantly during the taming of the hamat’sa initiate. They represent the man-eating associates of Baxwbakwalanuxwsiwe’, the unseen Cannibal-at-the-North-End-of-the-World whose power motivates the initiate. In the firelight they exude formidable demonstrations of that power as they perform in standing, crouching and sitting positions, snapping their great beaks.
Red cedar, red cedar bark, paint, leather, wool blanket
14 1/2 x 37 in. (36.83 x 93.98 cm)
Gift of John H. Hauberg
91.1.12
Provenance: Micheal R. Johnson, Seattle, Washington, until 1973; John H. Hauberg, Seattle, Washington, 1973-1991; Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, Washington
Photo: Paul Macapia