Native American, Northwestern United States, Tlingit, ca. 1978 CE. A handmade apple face figure, featuring animal fur, leather felt, wool yarn, and acrylic buttons on a wood base. The integral base is covered with a leather panel that the man stands upon. He is dressed as a ceremonial dancer with a Chilkat shawl. The figure's wooden frame is covered in leather clothing, including a tunic, moccasins, and mitten hands. The Chilkat is elaborate with yarn tassels and panels of felt and buttons sewn together to create a stylized visage across the fabric. The apple face is indeed a dried piece of apple flesh that has blackened and wrinkled to create the dancer's head. The apple is topped by a fur headdress and wooden mask. The mask is intricately carved with a snarling bear face. This figure is part of a doll-making tradition amongst the Tlingit and other Pacific Northwest groups that is centuries old. The base has a leather piece written with an unknown artist's initials, date, and edition number "#5 of 6." Size: 7" W x 12" H (17.8 cm x 30.5 cm)
Provenance: ex-Anchorage, Alaska, USA collection
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#166746
Condition
Loss to button on skirt. Some dust in recessed areas and discoloration to felt. Some fabric pilling. Artist's initials are smudged on the base and not easily discernable.