Native American, Northwestern United States, Alaska, Inuit, ca. 1950s CE. A mask depicting an old man's face, made from caribou hide, wolf fur, and wood. The trim is a fluffy fur from an arctic wolf's tail to create the illusion of a parka hood around the face. The man's skin is caribou hide, dried then stretched on a wooden frame. The eye and mouth slits are then cut out from the paper-like hide. Additional caribou fur creates the brows and beard. This mask represents one of the earliest forms of the newly developing mask industry by Inuit artisans. These masks were artistic and decorative designs. This mask is unique for its quality and use of traditional materials from Arctic animals. Size: 11.5" L x 9" W (29.2 cm x 22.9 cm)

Provenance: private Littleton, Colorado, USA collection, purchased from a trader in Anuktuvuk Pass, Alaska, USA in August 1959

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#165873

Some shedding of hairs on interior of hide. Wooden stick added to keep shape when mask is displayed. Creasing and minor staining to hide. Not recommended for wearing.