Description:

Native American / First Nations, Pacific Northwest Coast, Alaska or Canada, Inupiaq / Inuit, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A hand-carved spirit mask made from a porous whale bone, depicting an expressive visage - furrowed brow, narrow eyes, rounded cheeks, and slightly parted lips. Spirit masks bridge the worlds of the living and spirits and the moon, which this face was modeled after, was believed to be where whales originated. Whale bone sculpture requires the use of older bone that has dried and ossified - new bone will splinter and be too oily to carve- hence the wonderfully aged and weathered appearance! Size: 8.25" Diameter x 2" W (21 cm x 5.1 cm)

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-Marianne Spiegel collection, Park Avenue, New York, USA, 1980s

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#173915

  • Condition: Natural ossification and pitting to bone. Minor surface nicks and chips. Overall great condition. Leather cord on verso for suspension.

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August 4, 2022 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$300 $999 $50
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$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
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