Carving Item Number: Na1096 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Oval face with prominent brows and crease between. Round wooden inlay eyes, closely spaced, in corners of deep horizontal groove. Triangular nose in higher relief than prominent cheeks and mouth. Teeth row incised, above sloping chin. Mottled dentine shows at crown and lower relief.

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.