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Dance Mask

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Dance Mask

Date:
early 20th century
Geography:
United States, Alaska
Culture:
Yup'ik
Medium:
Wood, paint, feathers
Dimensions:
H. 24 x W. 23 3/4 x D. 6 1/2 in. (61 x 60.3 x 16.5 cm)
Classification:
Wood-Costumes
Credit Line:
The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Bequest of Nelson A. Rockefeller, 1979
Accession Number:
1979.206.1120

This artwork is not on display

  • Description

    The Yup'ik speaking peoples of western Alaska share a common heritage with the Inuit peoples of northern Alaska and Canada. It is a heritage that has roots in Siberia and includes ancient permanent settlements on or near the seacoast. The subarctic region inhabited by the Yup'ik is well supplied with land and sea resources allowing for much time that could be devoted to a full ceremonial life. After freezeup in the winter, performance cycles were preformed that were important to maintaining proper human and spirit world interactions.

  • Provenance

    Museum of the American Indian, Heye Foundation, New York, from 1927; Wolfgang von Paalen, acquired by 1939; Claude Levi Strauss, New York, acquired by ca. 1945 (?); [Ralph C. Altman, Los Angeles, acquired by 1952]; Nelson A. Rockefeller, New York, 1952, on loan to the Museum of Primitive Art, New York, 1963–1978

  • See also
    Who
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    In the Museum
    Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
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