Description:

North America, Alaska, Kodiak Island, Alaskan Native / Inuit people, ca. 1930 to 1940 CE. An interesting and amusing hand-carved wooden mask depicting a comical visage. The ovoid face has a pair of perforated eyes, one larger than the other, set on either side of a crooked nose, with a broad grin curving along the bottom periphery. Bushy eyebrows, a thin moustache, facial stripes, eye shadow, and the mouth interior are all painted in a black pigment, with splashes of crimson and gold paint spattered across the obverse side. The verso has been carved out, and two pierced lateral holes hold a twisted reed suspension cord for mounting. Custom metal display stand included. Size: 5.25" W x 7.25" H (13.3 cm x 18.4 cm); 9.75" H (24.8 cm) on included custom stand.

A larger and more-exaggerated example hammered for $7,250 at Bonhams, San Francisco Native American Art Auction (June 6, 2016, lot 169): http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/23384/lot/169/

Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, 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.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#133636

  • Condition: Age-commensurate surface wear, fading to some pigmentation, small nicks to peripheries and verso, otherwise intact and very good. Light earthen deposits throughout.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

May 10, 2018 7:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 24.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000