Dance Mask
During the long, harsh winters in the Arctic, local people traditionally gathered indoors for celebrations of performance cycles. These featured feasts and masked dances in order to maintain harmony between the human, animal, and supernatural realms for the coming year. The masks worn by costumed dancers were often danced in pairs and represented a variety of animals, supernatural beings, and animal helpers. Humorous examples were also known, including caricatures of local personalities meant to entertain the spectators.
Artwork Details
- Title: 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
- Object Number: 1979.206.1120
- Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing
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