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American Indian Crow Painted Mask c. 1890-1910

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:25.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
American Indian Crow Painted Mask c. 1890-1910
This is an exceptional American Indian paper mache (papier mache) mask dating to circa 1890-1910’s and attributed to the Crow Native American Indians of Montana. The mask shows a paper mache construction using early newspaper having an early copper paint inside lining and early painted front in tans, black, browns, reds and blues. The mask originally showed a single Bald Eagle feather at the top, a true attribute of its early authentic age (the eagle feather was removed and disposed of before being listed for sale to comply with current laws). At the ear on both sides shows a drop of braided horsehair showing old trade cotton thread, feather tufts and leather wrappings. The mask was made from the face of an early Crow elder and said to have been handed down through the family over the years. Provenance: The mask was examined by the three most prominent experts and collectors of American Indian antiquities in Montana and was found to be an authentic Crow Apsaalooke circa 1890-1910 example having a very rare high value. This is an increasingly rare mask with it being one of only two examples in this style known to exist. Measures overall 10”L by 7”W with an additional 15”L hair drop (s).