Native American / First Nations, Northeastern United States, New York / Canada, Ontario, Iroquois, ca. 1950s to 1960s CE. A hand-carved wood "False Face Society" mask with long horsehair. The features are exaggerated with a crooked nose and lopsided mouth. The mask's grotesque visage is from a myth - the Creator challenged Ethiso:da' (Hado'ih) to a mountain moving competition, but Ethiso:da' was hit in the face- his nose broken and distorted. The Creator appointed Ethiso:da' as a protector and healer to his people, but banished him to caves to only heal through dreams due to his disfigured face. Traditionally similar masks were worn by members that were either initiated or those cured by a "secret" medicinal society that healed and maintained the community's well-being. This particular mask was probably made by a Six Nations Iroquois artist for sale. Size w/ hair: 27" L x 7" W (68.6 cm x 17.8 cm); wood mask: 10" L x 7" W (25.4 cm x 17.8 cm)

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

Provenance: private Alamo, California, USA collection, purchased in the 1960s

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#180711

Small and inactive insect bore holes on wood. Wear and fading to pigment, otherwise great vintage condition. Old inventory numbers written on surface of verso.