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Object Number
69-30-10/1606
Display Title
Wooden mask
Descriptions
Object Description
Wooden mask. Mouth is rendered as small open oval. Holes in nostril for seeing. Probably had a piece of abalone or copper on forehead. Parallel incisions on each cheek may represent tatooing. The painted eyes are surrounded with a broken line border of red. The light blue surface appears to be identical with that of 10/1698 and it is possible that these were originally companion pieces. Skin patches on the areas where beard and moustache would normally appear make it probable that hair attachments were once used. Represents the spirit of a man. The mask has very few carved details, relying on the painted design. The eyes are wide and painted in black and white with red, dotted rings surrounding each one. Three red lines project from the nose to each side, almost like whiskers. Originally there were a mousatache and beard of fur.
Inventory Description
Carved wood human face mask, painted, remants of beard, leather ties
Classification
- Raw Material
- Mask
Department
Ethnographic
Date
19th century
Culture
- Tlingit?
- Tsimshian?
Geography/Provenience/Site Name
North America
/
United States
/
Alaska
Materials
Wood, Paint, Leather, Metal, Deer hide
Dimensions
Overall: 10 x 22 x 17.5 cm (3 15/16 x 8 11/16 x 6 7/8 in.)
Quantity
1
Label on object
69-30-10/1606
Provenance
Collector
Capt. Edward Gustavus Fast
(10/01/1867-07/01/1868)
Dealer
Capt. Edward Gustavus Fast
(1869)
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