Carved from white walrus ivory, this is a miniature mountain spirit mask, probably from an Alaskan Athabascan artist. In Athabascan culture, shaman wore masks similar to this one to pray to the “game gods” for a plentiful hunt and safe journey for the hunters. The feathers attached to the mask are natural feathers probably from a spruce hen.
mixed media
0.75in
1in
0.25in
Alaska
United States
United States
Donation
Nov 2019
Austin Friends of Folk Art