North America | Alaska
Inupiaq Mask
Alaska
Shaman Mask
Inupiaq
Point Hope, Alaska
19th century
Carved wood
Height: 15 cm – 6 in.
Provenance
Collection Jeffrey Myers, New York
Collection Pinhas Mendelson, New York
Collection Franck Marcelin, Aix-en-Provence
Myers Inupiaq Mask 6 in. / 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.
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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