Mask ·  Canada - Alaska - Greenland, Inuit · ID: 3032470

Description

wood, dark brown patina, of narrow elongated form with deep eye holes, slightly dam., minor missing parts, cracks, abrasion;
wooden masks were widely spread especially in eastern Greenland, at which three mask types can be divided. The present one presumably a house mask because of the flat back side, representing a good spirit who should protect the home and its inhabitants. Aside there were dance masks, used for ritual ceremonies of various kinds and theatre masks which served for entertainment. There was a close attachment between the mask and its owner - many masks followed their owner into the grave.

The object Mask with the object ID 3032470 was part of the auction 68th tribal art auction on March 3, 2012. The object with the lot number 68 achieved a sales price of EUR 4,000 with an asking price of EUR 1,000.

You can find more Masks and other popular object types on our related topic pages. You may also be interested in our page on American art.

Comparing literature

Holmstedt, Leif Birger, Magic Masks and Figures from Geenland, Copenhagen 2008, p. 80 f.