Inupiaq mask

North America | Alaska

Inupiaq mask

Alaska

Shaman’s mask
Inupiaq (Eskimo)
Point Hope, Alaska

19th century
Carved wood
Height: 22 cm – 8 ½ in.

Provenance
Ex collection Jeffrey Myers, New York
Ex collection Richard Margolis, New York
Ex collection Renaud Vanuxem, Paris

Point Hope mask 22 cm / Galerie Flak Price on request
This shamanic mask from the Point Hope area, north of the Bering Strait is a striking example of Inupiaq (Eskimo) ritual art.
A magnetic presence emanates from this Point Hope mask. Similar transformation masks are illustrated in "Masks of the Point Hope Eskimo" by James W. Van Stone.

The Subarctic region inhabited by the Iniupiaq (Eskimo) peoples in Alaska is well supplied with land and sea resources allowing for much time that could be devoted to a full ceremonial life. After freezeup in the winter, performance cycles were undertaken that were important to maintaining proper human, animal and spirit-world interactions. These ritual and shamanic ceremonies took place in the Men’s House (qasaiq). During masked ceremonies, shamans, under the protection of their animal-guides entered into a trance to communicate with the spirit world. Before leaving on a hunt, men also had to observe a certain number of dictates to assure themselves of the beneficial support of tutelary spirits, the « masters » of game animals.
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