North America, Pacific Northwest, United States or Canada, Tlingit, ca. late 19th to 20th century CE. A fascinating wood face mask featuring a stylized visage of thick, arched brows above petite, almond-shaped eyes, a sloped nose with a flattened nasal bridge and broad nostrils, and full lips held slightly open and turned downward at the edges. Though abstract, the vizard is imbued with a sense of lifelike-ness via the heavy nasolabial folds, sagging jowls, and jutting chin. All is surrounded by a red collar with leather straps tied to perforations at the peripheries allowing the mask to be worn. Masks like this one were believed to manifest a powerful spirit being that helped a shaman mediate between the worlds of matter and spirit. Size of mask: 7.8" W x 10.2" H (19.8 cm x 25.9 cm); of frame: 14" W x 16.5" H (35.6 cm x 41.9 cm)

Please note this item falls under the Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act and is not eligible for international shipping. Native American, Alaska Native, & Native Hawaiian objects are only eligible to ship within the United States.

Provenance: private West Jordon, Utah, USA collection, acquired at an antiques sale in Boulder, Colorado, USA; ex-Bill Helmsley collection, acquired in Seattle, Washington, USA, circa 1972

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#178516

Stable hairline fissured travelling vertically down proper right side of face. Expected weathering to surface with stiffening to animal hide ties. Otherwise, intact and very nice with good remaining pigments. Set in modern wood and glass case with suspension hooks on verso for display.