Human Mask
Carved, drilled wood with inset Walrus ivory teeth. Ca. 1880's H. 8 in
Carved of a burly piece of driftwood, this mask illustrates the adaption of available resources to the necessary task at hand. Very naturalistically carved, the human face here simply and accurately represents the subtle modeling of Eskimo facial features. The teeth inset in the lips are possibly symbolic of a specific spirit or other representation embodied in the mask which would be known and recognized by the local audience. Specific occasions such as whaling rituals and festivals of the dead called for the appearance of masked images representing the spirits responsible for the protection and movement of game animals.

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