Justus Mekiana, (Nunamiut, Alaska, 1928-2009) "Woman's Face," ca. 1950s to 1960s CE. A captivating mask of caribou hide and fox fur by the famous mask maker Justus Mekiana. The caribou skin is stretched and dried over a wooden mold then peeled off and holds its form, then the eye and mouth holes are cut. Last the fur hair and trim is added; note the delicate lashes around the eye slits! Mekiana is accredited with developing the first mold method using spruce wood with exaggerated carvings to create the facial features. Each mold can exhibit its own strong style that identifies the mask maker. This mask represents one of the earliest forms of the newly developing mask industry by Inuit artisans. Justus Mekiana was a prominent artist that developed highly innovative processes. Size: 10" L x 7" W (25.4 cm x 17.8 cm)
Provenance: private Littleton, Colorado, USA collection, purchased from Arctic Research Laboratory director Max C. Brewer, Barrow, Alaska, USA in 1961
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.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance),
we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#165872
Condition
Minor discoloration near woman's mouth, which may be part of the natural hide coloration or drying process. Other small areas of light discoloration from age. Fur and hairs are intact and there is no shedding. The mask is intact and very good!