Tribe/Region: Iroquois, Western New York State

Circa: Early 19th Century

Materials: Braided corn husk, cotton thread, remnant of cotton “tape” cloth for head straps, dark pigment over eyes and mouth.

Dimensions: H. 8 1/2″ x W. 8 1/2″ x D. 4 1/2″

Condition: Very good. In remarkable condition for a very old example, wear, loss and breaks. No restoration.

Comments: This is an early and very dramatic mask with a downturned and pursed blowing mouth. The mask’s bulging eyes, penile nose and the attenuated mouth add a considerable degree of depth to this mask. These features are outlined in dark charcoal (?) pigment.

Collection History:

Allan Stone Collection, Connecticut and New York

Reference:

Fenton, William N. The False Faces of the Iroquois

See “Mask Types”, Part 1…The Husk Faces or Bushy Heads, p. 54 and Index, p. 519 for extensive references to corn husk masks.