Unalaska Island (Sea Off), Aleutian Islands / Fox Islands, Alaska, United States, North America
Accession Date:
28 Nov 1877
Notes:
FROM CARD: "UNPAINTED WHALE SHAPE, WITH HUMAN FACES IN CENTER. INVENTORIED 1977."
Illus. Fig. 99c, p. 89 in Black, Lydia. 2003. Aleut art = Unangam aguqaadangin. Virginia Beach, VA: Donning Co. Publishers. Identified in photo caption: "Mask collected at sea off "Unalaska" by E. W. Nelson, late 19th century. The heavy front portion is skillfully fashioned to create an impression of an animal snout. Note human face in the center with down-turned red mouth. Eskimoan influence is felt." On p. 88-89 of this publication Black indicates that this mask was made of new wood, had never been used or worn, could not be put on, and had no field of vision. It "... is made in a shape which has been interpreted as a whale. The heavy front portion is fashioned skillfully so as to indicate an animal snout with two large black painted dots suggesting the eyes. In the center a human face of circular shape is carved. The facial features are indicated schematically. The mouth has down-turned corners. This mask has a decidedly Eskimoan flavor." She indicates that "[a]t best, [it] might be considered an example of modern wood carving of southwestern Alaskans who identified themselves as Aleut. It is doubtful that [it is] representative of the ancient Aleut iconography."
