Carving Item Number: Na1093 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Oval face having prominent slightly curved brows, steeply indented to eyes with crease between. The triangular nose is in higher relief than the high cheek bones, deeply indented below nose, and rising slightly to mouth with incised line of uneven teeth, and sloping chin. Carving marks overall; mottled dentine at crown and under chin. Back is relatively flat.

History Of Use

Probably an Historic Period carving. Possible stylistic connection to King Island (Alaska) shaman masks, indicated by Ackerman and Moos, but only the overall appearance is similar. As shown in Ray, plate 48 & 49. 'There is a possibility that ivory masquettes may be copies of these mask forms, and were intended as sale items in the tourist trade of the turn of the century..." Ackerman preferred to leave the ivory masquettes unassigned to either time or cultural group.