Native American Hopi Pueblo Clown Kachina Mask, Ethnographic Folk Art

A beautiful, somewhat benevolent mask by the Yup'ik (Yupik) aboriginal, indigenous people of South-Western & South Central Alaska. The Yup'ik people, who are related to the Inuit peo...

A fantastic, somewhat sinister appearing mask by the Yup'ik (Yupik) aboriginal, indigenous people of South-Western & South Central Alaska. The Yup'ik people, who are related to the I...

A beautiful, somewhat benevolent mask by the Yup'ik (Yupik) aboriginal, indigenous people of South-Western & South Central Alaska. The Yup'ik people, who are related to the Inuit peoples, have a long history of ceremonial mask making. Yup'ik masks were originally and specifically designed by Shamans and made to be worn by these spiritual leaders in Winter tribal dances and sacred ceremonies. Traditionally, the masks were destroyed or discarded after use in these ceremonies. Very few of these masks survived. After Christian contact in the late 19th century, masked dancing was suppressed and the tradition all but died out. As more outsiders settled in Alaska at the turn of the century, masks were made by the Yup'ik people to sell or trade for necessary goods. It is likely that this mask was created some years later for this purpose. In the 20th century, Yup'ik mask had a profound influence on many renowned surrealist artists including, Max Ernst, Joan Miro, Leonora Carrington, Victor Brauner, and most notably Andre Breton who was an avid collector of Yup'ik masks. This fantastic anthropomorphic mask is carved of lighter wood and hand painted/ decorated with pigment. The mask seems to represent some sort of smiling, benevolent spirit or character. The mask is from a French collection. We were told that this mask, as well as others in the collection we have listed, was acquired originally in the 1950s-1960s in Alaska and the Yukon territory in Canada but as we have no way to verify or authenticate this. Please note we are listing the masks as decorative and not as actual tribal artifacts...

A fantastic and somewhat grotesquely strange mask by the Yup'ik (Yupik) aboriginal, indigenous people of South-Western & South Central Alaska. The Yup'ik people, who are related to t...

A fantastic and somewhat playful mask by the Yup'ik (Yupik) aboriginal, indigenous people of South-Western & South Central Alaska. The Yup'ik people, who are related to the Inuit peoples, have a long history of ceremonial mask making. Yup'ik masks were originally and specifically designed by Shamans and made to be worn by these spiritual leaders in Winter tribal dances and sacred ceremonies. Traditionally, the masks were destroyed or discarded after use in these ceremonies. Very few of these masks survived. After Christian contact in the late 19th century, masked dancing was suppressed and the tradition all but died out. As more outsiders settled in Alaska at the turn of the century, masks were made by the Yup'ik people to sell or trade for necessary goods. It is likely that this mask was created some years later for this purpose. In the 20th century, Yup'ik mask had a profound influence on many renowned surrealist artists including, Max Ernst, Joan Miro, Leonora Carrington, Victor Brauner, and most notably Andre Breton who was an avid collector of Yup'ik masks. This fantastic anthropomorphic mask is carved of lighter wood, hand painted and decorated with pigment, and held together with natural fiber. The mask seems to represent some sort of smiling, benevolent spirit or character with its four eyes, bird beak, and cat-like ears. The mask is from a French collection. We were told that this mask, as well as others in the collection we have listed, was acquired originally in the 1950s-1960s in Alaska and the Yukon territory in Canada but as we have no way to verify or authenticate this. Please note we are listing the masks as decorative and not as actual tribal artifacts...

Nicely made and displayed. Signed by the artist on the base. Kachina figures are believed to act as messengers between humans and the spirit world. Would be a great addition to any...

A wonderfully hand-painted and decorated Native American Hopi Kachina Katsina doll. We believe this was a child's cradle first Kachina doll. It is hand carved from light wood (likel...

A wonderfully hand-painted and decorated Native American Hopi Kachina Katsina doll. It is hand carved from light wood (likely cottonwood). Kachina figures are believed to act as me...

Native American Pueblo Indian drum. Featuring blackened stretched hide on top and bottom. Sides with red strip across center framed my complementar...

A wonderfully handcrafted/detailed and decorated Native American Hopi Mudhead Kachina doll. Quite an unusually large work. A striking piece overall. Hand painted with leather and possibly turquoise (necklace) accompaniment. Hopi katsina figures, also known as kachina dolls, are figures carved, typically from cottonwood root by the Hopi people. Initially, kachina dolls were made to instruct young girls and new brides about katsinas or katsinam, the immortal beings that bring rain, control other aspects of the natural world and society, and act as messengers between humans and the spirit world. The Mudhead or Koyemsi figure is viewed as a clown/joker figure who is responsible for laughter and entertainment at Hopi dances and ceremonial events. He plays drums and games to keep his audience engaged. The piece is signed by the artist under the base. From an extensive collection of Native American objects and artifacts. Would be a great addition to any Native American Art...