Description:

Native American / First Nations, Northeastern United States, New York / Canada, Ontario, Iroquois, ca. late 20th century CE. An evocative, hand-carved wood "False Face Society" mask enveloped in red pigment with large inlaid brass eyes and a coiffure of lengthy horsehair. The features are exaggerated with a flattened nose and distorted mouth as though forming a whistle. The mask's grotesque visage is from a myth - the Creator challenged Ethiso:da' (Hado'ih) to a mountain moving competition, but Ethiso:da' was hit in the face- his nose broken and distorted. The Creator appointed Ethiso:da' as a protector and healer to his people, but banished him to caves to only heal through dreams due to his disfigured face. Traditionally similar masks were worn by members that were either initiated or those cured by a "secret" medicinal society that healed and maintained the community's well-being. Size of wood mask: 4.3" L x 6.6" W x 12" H (10.9 cm x 16.8 cm x 30.5 cm); length of hair: 31" L (78.7 cm)

Cf. British Museum, Am1925,1207.1

Please note this item may fall under the Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act and may not be eligible for international shipping. Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian objects are only eligible to ship within the United States.

Provenance: private Parker, Colorado, USA collection

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#185965

  • Condition: Intact and excellent with great pigments. Leather suspension strap on top of verso for display.

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May 11, 2024 9:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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