Tunghak Mask

Object Number:

NA11783

Current Location:

Collections storage

Culture:

Eskimo

Provenience:

Alaska
Bering Sea

Culture Area:

Arctic (Culture Area)

Date Made:

19th century

Early Date:

1850

Late Date:

1901

Section:

American

Materials:

Wood
Feathers

Iconography:

birds, walrus, seal, tunghat spirit

Description:

Shield-shaped, wooden plaque dance mask with central tunghat spirit face surrounded by five holes representing pathways to spirit worlds where birds, seals, and whales are positioned. Hide thongs serve as hair; downturned mouth with two labrets inserted at lower lip. Feathers inserted around upper sides and edge connected with string.

Current & Past Exhibitions:

Raven's Journey: The World of Alaska's Native People ( Nov 1986 - Feb 2010)

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