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ProvenanceCharles Miles, Berkeley, California; Toby Herbst, Santa Fe, New Mexico
BibliographyMiles, Charles. Indian and Eskimo Artifacts of North Ameica. New York: Bonanza Books, 1963, p.150, fig. 6.32.
Vincent, Gilbert et al. Art of the North American Indians: The Thaw Collection. Cooperstown, New York: Fenimore Art Museum, 2000, p.448.
Fognell, Eva and Alexander Brier Marr, eds. Art of the North American Indians: The Thaw Collection at the Fenimore Art Museum, 2nd ed. Cooperstown, New York: Fenimore Art Museum, 2016, p. 497.
Culture
Inupiat
Mask
Date1890-1910
MediumWood, bird quills
DimensionsOverall: 5 5/8 × 5 1/2 × 5 1/4 in. (14.3 × 14 × 13.3 cm)
Object numberT0595
Credit LineLoan from the Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw Charitable Trust
Photograph by Richard Walker
Label TextMasking in the arctic is associated with hunting ceremonials and shamanic practices, both of which are critical to the well being of the community. Animal imagery attests to the importance of animal spirits for arctic hunters, but a shaman might also use such a mask. The pointed snout and drawn back mouth, which reveals canine teeth, is suggestive of a wolf or bear.ProvenanceCharles Miles, Berkeley, California; Toby Herbst, Santa Fe, New Mexico
BibliographyMiles, Charles. Indian and Eskimo Artifacts of North Ameica. New York: Bonanza Books, 1963, p.150, fig. 6.32.
Vincent, Gilbert et al. Art of the North American Indians: The Thaw Collection. Cooperstown, New York: Fenimore Art Museum, 2000, p.448.
Fognell, Eva and Alexander Brier Marr, eds. Art of the North American Indians: The Thaw Collection at the Fenimore Art Museum, 2nd ed. Cooperstown, New York: Fenimore Art Museum, 2016, p. 497.
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