Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number CAS 2015-0002-0005   CAS 2015-0002-0005; 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; Ivory (?); Other bone or antler; Rawhide
Description Two dimensional, high relief whale bone carving in the form of a wall hanging mask, depicting a round human face with an extremely wide, upturned nose with very flared nostrils and a wide but narrow slit for a mouth; Cutout eye sockets are inset with round bone or antler disks which have been painted with black downcast eyes; Two pieces of bone or antler that are partially cut to replicate 5 teeth have been inset and glued into the mouth; Pair of round ivory or bone disks are inset into chin to represent traditional labrets worn by Inupiak people; Pair of small round side-by-side holes have been drilled through top of ask at downward angle, extending all the way through to reverse side, and commercially tanned rawhide strip is threaded through them, for hanging the mask for display.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 20.7, Depth = 9.6, Length = 21.9