Native American, Pacific Northwest Coast, ca. early 20th century CE. Signed "YO" on periphery of verso. A remarkable, hand-carved wood mask, hand-painted with vibrant hues of blue, red, and black and adorned with nacre shells, brass, caribou fur, walrus tusk, and horsehair. The striking visage displays large, annular brass eyes beneath huge, arched caribou fur brows, a wide nose, and full lips held open to expose 16 teeth made from walrus tusk. Slender strips of caribou fur additionally flank the mouth, serving to delineate facial hair. The top of the head features several tufts of shiny, black horsehair, while 2 more tufts extend from the center of the eyes. The skin of the face is beautifully embellished by 6 circular nacre shell inlays, lying on either side of the mouth, as well as blue, black, and red face paints. Size: 7.25" W x 11" H (18.4 cm x 27.9 cm)
This is an ESA antique exempt piece of ivory and cannot be sold internationally or to anyone residing in the states of California, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington. We guarantee that the piece is over 100 years old.
Provenance: ex-Anchorage, Alaska, USA collection
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.
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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.
#166740
Condition
Signed "YO" on periphery verso. Losses to caribou fur and some chipping to paint. A few nicks to chin and forehead. Otherwise, very nice with great patina. Suspension rope on verso for display.