Brooklyn Museum: Arts of the Americas: Baleen Whale Mask

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Baleen Whale Mask

This mask would probably have been worn by a Kwakwaka'wakw chief during the Winter Ceremonies to demonstrate prestige and treasures from the sea. With the heavy mask over his head, bent back, and a drape disguising his feet, the dancer would have manipulated interior cords controlling the mask's fins, mouth, and tail to mimic swimming and diving. The privilege of performing with a mask is inherited along with its related stories. These privileges are passed down through generations, and the whale dance is still performed today.

Culture: Kwakwaka'wakw
Medium: Cedar wood, hide, cotton cord, hide, nails, pigment
Place Collected: Knight's Inlet, British Columbia, Canada
Dates: 19th century
Dimensions: 23 5/8 x 28 1/2 x 81 1/8 in. (60 x 72.4 x 206 cm)
Collections: Arts of the Americas
Museum Location: This item is not on view
Accession Number: 08.491.8901
Credit Line: Museum Expedition 1908, Museum Collection Fund
Image: Overall, 08.491.8901_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph

Catalogue Description: Large wooden whale mask carved from 14 pieces of cedar, the main body carved from one large piece that has been hollowed out. Movable lower jaw, flippers, and flukes are controlled with cords. Head is painted with red and blue nose and blue eye sockets. Beneath each eye, is black stripe with white dots. Collar is made up of a blue fin design. The whale's blow hole is in the form of a painted and carved face. The dorsil fin, once detachable, is painted and carved with an animal face in profile. The torso is painted with white and blue stripes, and large white dots, running the length of the body which has a white underside.

Collections: Arts of the Americas: Baleen Whale Mask