Dramatic C. 1900 Iroquois False Face Mask, Ex. Merton Simpson New York
DRAMATIC C. 1900 IROQUOIS FALSE FACE MASK, Ex. Merton Simpson New York
Origin: N.E. United States and Canda (Provenance: Acquired from a collection in Falls Church Virginia. Originally purchased from noted New York dealer Merton Simpson in 1980.)
Period/Date: C. 1900
Materials: Wood, paint, metal, Horse hair/ hide
Description: A dramatic and expressive false face society mask (comes with a custom wall mount bracket with floats it a couple inches out from a wall). The mask was used in medicinal healing rituals invoking the spirit of an old hunch-backed man. Its exaggerated mouth is carefully formed and angular, reminding me of a (figure 8" that is pinched in the center! The eye sockets are enshrouded with salvaged sheet metal. The flowing grey horse hair especially gives the mask a noteworthy presence of an old man. The wood is quite old and oxidized, having acquireda varied dry patina on the inside.
Dimensions: Overall Height 18.5” (47 cm), width 7” (17.5 cm), Height of mask not including hair 10" (25.5)