Cedar bark headdress | Lavina Li Portfolio

Headdress, Before Treatment

The cedar bark on the headdress was extremely brittle, and the longer strips at the back were tangled together. The lower section of the beak (not pictured) had broken off. Dust and fine, crystalline growth (not pictured) covered the surface and was carefully removed with a soft brush under suction.

Headdress, Before Treatment.

Once the long strips of cedar bark were untangled, it became clear that many strips were broken into large fragments.

Headdress, During Treatment

For some of the longer fragments, it was possible to find the original strand or bunch they had been part of. These strips were repaired by joining strands with Japanese tissue and wheat starch paste.

Headdress, During Treatment

Toned Japanese tissue was adhered to one break end with wheat starch paste (pictured here). Once dry, the other half of the tissue strip was adhered to the loose fragment's break end and allowed to dry under pressure.

Headdress, During Treatment - Repaired Cedar Bark Strand

The toned Japanese tissue is left exposed on the underside of the cedar bark strip after repair.

Headdress, During Treatment

Strips of cane cut from clarinet reed were soaked and bent into a curved shape to serve as splints to support the broken beak. Cedar bark strips around the break ends were gently pushed aside or unwound to expose the wooden frame. Splints were adhered to the inside of the frame using Jade 403.

Once the splints were soundly joined to the wooden frame on the upper portion of the beak, the lower (broken off) section of the beak was aligned and joined to the splints and frame with Jade 403. Forceps were used to hold the beak together while the adhesive set.

Headdress, During Treatment

Detail photo of break end on upper portion of the beak, with wooden frame exposed.

Headdress, During Treatment

The adhesive was left to dry for several days, after which the forceps were removed and the cedar bark strips were gently re-wound or pushed back into place. Some cedar bark strips had loose ends that clearly matched other broken ends or were otherwise at risk of snagging. Toned Japanese tissue was used to repair or secure these loose ends (pictured here).

Headdress, After Treatment

Detail photo of beak repair after treatment.

Headdress, After Treatment

Headdress, After Treatment

Headdress, After Treatment

In preparation for transport, the fragile, brittle, shedding cedar bark strands were wrapped with Stabiltex.

The black foam and matboard mount was created by a MOA conservator.

Headdress, After Treatment

A box was made for the safe transport and storage of the headdress as it travels on loan. Once the lid (not pictured) is removed, the front of the box slides open and the whole mount can be smoothly pulled out.

Headdress, After Treatment

I helped transport the headdress, along with other loan objects, to Kwakwaka'wakw artist and Hereditary Chief G̱ixkastallasame-gi (Cecil Dawson) at the Museum at Campbell River for his upcoming exhibition.

Photo by Cedar Étoile.

Crooked Beak Headdress

Jim Howard

This Crooked Beak Headdress was requested by Kwakwaka'wakw artist and Hereditary Chief G̱ixkastallasame-gi (Cecil Dawson) as a loan for his exhibition at the Museum at Campbell River. Along with this headdress, he also requested several other Kwakwaka'wakw pieces created by his family and relatives. This headdress needed to be cleaned, stabilized, and repaired before loan. Treatment was done in conversation with Dawson.

I was able to assist in all stages of this loan, including the deinstallation of pieces at MOA, condition assessment, cleaning, packing, delivery, and installation. More information on my role in this loan can be found in the Misc. Projects tab.

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