Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number CAS 2015-0002-0001   CAS 2015-0002-0001; Carving (mask)
Category Carvings
Object Name Carving (mask)
Culture Inupiat
Global Region North America
Country USA
State/Prov./Dist. Alaska
County
Other Geographic Data
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1960s
Collection Name N/A
Materials Bone: whale vertebra; Other bone or antler (?)
Description Two-dimensional, low relief whale bone carving in the form of a wall hanging mask; Depicted is an oval-shaped human face, with carved lozenge-shaped eye sockets, elongated nose, open mouth, and high cheek bones; Elongated oval-shaped pieces of white bone (?) with black painted eyes are inserted into eye sockets; Two small pieces of white bone (?) representing 6 teeth are inserted into the upper side of the mouth and 3 separate pieces of white bone (?), each depicting a single tooth, are inserted into the lower side of the mouth; Small hole is cut through top of mask to allow for hanging it for display.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 13.7, Depth = 4.1, Length = 20.5