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• Haida artist
• British Columbia, Canada
• Late 1800s
• Red cedar wood and paint
• Purchase from Mrs. Virginia Cheshire, 1935.186

The Haida used masks during potlatch ceremonies to illustrate the spirit beings encountered by their ancestors. These masks are worn by dancers to reenact stories that transmit knowledge, history, and moral lessons from one generation to the next. Often, the masks represent specific ancestors, animals, or supernatural beings from their mythology. Each mask is uniquely designed to convey the characteristics and the spirit of the being it represents. When donned, the wearer transforms into the entity depicted by the mask, thereby connecting the body and soul.