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Narrative

Acquired by the donor's father when he lived in Nyac, Alaska, on the Kuskokwim River, from the 1920s to 1960s.

Description

Puffin head mask (part a) with multiple attachments (parts b-o). Puffin has a fish clamped in its multi-coloured beak, and four wide holes drilled around the back edge of its head. Eyes are triangular, with long lines extending from their bottom edges to back edge of mask. Circular area around eyes is undecorated; top, bottom and back of head are painted black. Two wood sticks tied in circles (parts b-c) attach to mask with short pegs (parts l-o); cormorant feathers, with wood carvings on tips, extend from outer circle (parts d-k). Carvings on feather ornaments consist of a thin bird head (part d), two fish (parts e-f), two fins (parts g-h), and three wings (parts i-k). Circular rings are painted orange-red; larger one has holes drilled through it for attachments to fit into. All wood attachments have black, dark red-orange, and light blue highlights painted across them; decorative incisions and elements carved in relief throughout. All cormorant feathers are dark grey-black. Metal ring attached to back of mask component, for hanging.