Iroquois, northeastern North America
19th century
Cornhusk, shoe laces, black cloth
Height 12" (30.5 cm); width 10 1/2" (26.7 cm)
Provenance: Private Southern California collection; old collection label inscribed "Rec 6/22/26 Iroquois mask pur. from Mrs. Joe Silverman"
Husk Face masks occupy a distinct ceremonial role from the False Face Society, representing earthbound spirits associated with agriculture, the hunt, and the changing of seasons. Unlike False Face dancers, Husk Face dancers are mute, communicating through gesture, and perform the Fish Dance and Women's Dance during the Midwinter Festival. The beings they embody are understood to have taught the Iroquois the skills of farming and hunting, giving Husk Face ceremonies a foundational place in Haudenosaunee spiritual life.
This mask is constructed from braided and woven cornhusk with shoe lace detailing and black cloth accents, typical of Husk Face production through the 19th century. The dense braided construction frames dramatically deep eye and mouth openings, a characteristic feature distinguishing this mask type clearly from False Face carving traditions. The old collection label places its acquisition to June 1926 via Mrs. Joe Silverman, connecting it to the same Southern California provenance group as related pieces in this collection.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
Iroquois, northeastern North America
19th century
Cornhusk, shoe laces, black cloth
Height 12" (30.5 cm); width 10 1/2" (26.7 cm)
Provenance: Private Southern California collection; old collection label inscribed "Rec 6/22/26 Iroquois mask pur. from Mrs. Joe Silverman"
Husk Face masks occupy a distinct ceremonial role from the False Face Society, representing earthbound spirits associated with agriculture, the hunt, and the changing of seasons. Unlike False Face dancers, Husk Face dancers are mute, communicating through gesture, and perform the Fish Dance and Women's Dance during the Midwinter Festival. The beings they embody are understood to have taught the Iroquois the skills of farming and hunting, giving Husk Face ceremonies a foundational place in Haudenosaunee spiritual life.
This mask is constructed from braided and woven cornhusk with shoe lace detailing and black cloth accents, typical of Husk Face production through the 19th century. The dense braided construction frames dramatically deep eye and mouth openings, a characteristic feature distinguishing this mask type clearly from False Face carving traditions. The old collection label places its acquisition to June 1926 via Mrs. Joe Silverman, connecting it to the same Southern California provenance group as related pieces in this collection.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
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