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Kings Island Eskimo Carved Wooden Mask c.1890-1900

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:25.00 USD Estimated At:2,500.00 - 4,500.00 USD
Kings Island Eskimo Carved Wooden Mask c.1890-1900
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Offered for public sale is this fantastic authentic early carved wooden mask from the Inupiaq Eskimo Native American Indian people of King Island, Alaska. The mask dates to circa 1890-1900 and was collected in Anchorage, Alaska in circa 1959 (marked on the inside in graphite “ESKIMO ALASKA 1959”). The mask shows a solid wood carved construction having a correct oval form with a perforated “almond” shaped left eye and round right eye, arching brows with black pigment mineral painted eye brows, flaring nostrils having two perforated round holes, raised cheek bones, and a slit mouth being raised on the left side and having an upper lip painted of black pigment mineral paint. The entire surface along the front shows a rich dark red / brown pigment mineral dye having a dark patina from much handling. The carving along the front is of an expert craftsmanship having a very smooth surface with symmetrical features. The rear of the mask shows a rough inside with remnants of black pigment paint and rich patina. At the back of the mask on either side the mask shows a pierced hole with a piece of Indian tanned hide running from each side, presumably used to hold the mask to the users head. King Island Eskimo masks dating to early 1900 are of a very scarce nature and for this reason demand a high price at auction with some selling for as much as $20,000 (such as the mask sold at Christies Auction). This is truly a rare authentic mask showing fine carving and very good condition. Provenance: From the private museum collection of early Native American weapons and artifacts in Paris, France. Measures 6.25" x 9.75".