South West Alaska Yupik Eskimo Nunivak Island Hooped Shaman’s Wooden Mask
A Rare South West Alaska Yupik Eskimo Nunivak Island Hooped Shaman’s Wooden Mask the two hoops indicating the upper world attached stylised appendages representing a seal and its flippers and two whale’s tails all fastened to feather wands
Traces of black, red and white pigment
Circa 1900 – 1930
Size: 60cm high, 60cm wide (max) - 23½ ins high, 23½ ins wide (max)
69cm high - 27 ins high (with base)
Traces of black, red and white pigment
Circa 1900 – 1930
Size: 60cm high, 60cm wide (max) - 23½ ins high, 23½ ins wide (max)
69cm high - 27 ins high (with base)
Much admired and collected by the members of the surrealist movement such as the artist Georges Braque, Eskimo masks were created for specific ceremonial events under the direction of a shaman. They were used to facilitate communication by the shaman between the human and animal worlds, and between the living and the ancestors. Ritually powerful when in use, they were often discarded afterwards, their power and spiritual energy spent.
South West Alaska Yupik Eskimo Nunivak Island Hooped Shaman’s Wooden Mask
SOLD
