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VII-B-9 A Moon mask with painted eyebrows and delicate feminine features.

Collected on Haida Gwaii (probably at Skidegate) in 1879 by Israel W. Powell.
CMC VII-B-9 (S85-3273)




VII-B-13 On the top of this mask of a supernatural Killer Whale is a dorsal fin, which can be pulled upright with hidden strings. The lower jaw is also movable. Other stylistic features such as the peaked eyebrows, large eye openings and thick lips indicate it is also by the same artist who made the masks in Plates 63, 64, 65, 66.

CMC VII-B-13 (S94-6724)




VII-B-19 A Moon mask with robust male features. There are traces of a cloth hood that was once attached to it. The style of a broad face and thick lips looks is similar to Heiltsuk masks but may have been used by Haida to suggest the full face of the Moon.

Collected on Haida Gwaii (probably Skidegate) in 1879 by Israel W. Powell.
CMC VII-B-19 (S92-4170)




VII-B-20
[ closed ]
[ open ]
This spectacular transformation mask, when closed, represents an Eagle or Thunderbird; open, it portrays the Moon. Human hair attachments add to the drama of the powerfully serene face of a supernatural being. The transformation of the mask is accomplished by pulling cords attached to the hinged panels that extend to form the corona.

Collected on Haida Gwaii (probably at Skidegate) in 1879 by Israel W. Powell.
CMC VII-B-20 (S86-386)




VII-B-2 This very powerful mask was clearly used in performance and still has remnants of down nailed to the chin. The meaning of the three harpoons emerging from the face is unknown, but they were probably inserted into holes in the mask at a special point in the performance.

Collected at Masset before 1884 by Alexander McKenzie of the Hudson's Bay Company.
CMC VII-B-2 (S85-3269)




VII-B-24 On this secret society dance mask of a hawklike bird, the eyes are trimmed with metal plates, and there are leather-hinged side panels that could be manipulated by the dancer. Signs of wear inside the mask indicate it was used in many performances.

Collected on Haida Gwaii in 1879 by Israel W. Powell.
CMC VII-B-24 (S92-4176)




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