Killer Whale Headdress

MOA: University of British Columbia

3106/6

Carved and painted killer whale headdress. Headdress is triangular with black background. Forehead decorated with incised white lines running across temples and V running from crown to forehead. Eyes are black half circles with white inverted Cs outlined by rounded red arrowheads resting on shallow white hollows. Mouth formed by wide red lips and carved hollow painted with large pointed white teeth over red background. Red loops for nostrils sit above mouth. Separate fin with a rounded square hole in the middle attaches to top of headdress. Two long rectangular fins decorated with red and white detailing are attached to each side. Smooth black cloth and rough cotton strips hang down back of headdress. Plastic headgear attached to interior.


  • Type of Item headdress
  • Culture Kwakwaka'wakw
  • Material cedar wood, acrylic paint, synthetic fibre, cotton fibre, plastic, metal
  • Measurements height 45.0 cm, width 27.0 cm, depth 41.0 cm (overall) height 45.0 cm, width 27.0 cm, depth 35.5 cm (part a) height 17.6 cm, width 10.0 cm, depth 1.1 cm (part b)

  • Creator Doug Cranmer
  • Previous Owner Vivien Cranmer
  • Received from Vivien Cranmer, Michael O'Brian Family Foundation

  • Made in Alert Bay

  • Creation Date during 1974
  • Ownership Date before April 25, 2015
  • Acquisition Date on April 25, 2015

  • Condition good
  • Accession Number 3106/0006