Arts & Cultures Collections Database

 Arts & Culture Collections » Burke Museum Objects  » Object Details

« BACK TO SEARCH RESULTS

   
Object #     2004-2/193
Object name     Mask
Culture of Origin     Haida
Title     Gagiid
Maker or Artist     Reg Davidson
Materials     Wood, Paint, Horsehair, Fur, Operculum, Metal, Spring, Sinew
Techniques     Carved, Painted, Glued
Dimensions     L: 47.0 cm, W: 50.0 cm, D: 22.0 cm
Exhibit Label    

"Spirit of the Ancestors"-The Gagiit mask is a person that almost drowned and he was able to survive the cold waters but it changed him into a wild man. There are stories also of changing him back to human form again. - Reg Davidson

Masks like this one are used by several Haida dance groups today as their initial performance to clear the air-the dancers screaming when the frightening supernatural being enters the hall, appearing as a giant hairy monster. By chasing him out, the air is cleared, and the performance goes on.

Source     Mr. Arthur B. Steinman
Credit     Gift of Arthur B. Steinman


Additional images are available:

 
               

Many artworks displayed in the Collection Search are protected by copyright or trademark. If you are interested in reproducing these images, please visit the Reproduction and Use Policy site.