Iroquois, Grand River, northeastern North America
19th century
Cornhusk, shoe laces
Height 14" (35.6 cm); width 12 1/4" (31.1 cm)
Provenance: Private Southern California collection; old collection label inscribed "Iroquois 6/22/26 Grand River Mrs. John Buck"
Husk Face masks represent earthbound spirits associated with agriculture, the hunt, and the changing of seasons within Haudenosaunee ceremonial life. 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 entirely from braided and layered cornhusk with shoe lace detailing, its large scale and dense construction giving it a commanding ceremonial presence. The old collection label places its acquisition to June 1926 at Grand River, the location of the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory in Ontario, Canada, one of the most significant Iroquois communities outside New York State. The subsequent Southern California private collection provenance connects it to the same documented group of early 20th century Iroquois material in this collection.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
Iroquois, Grand River, northeastern North America
19th century
Cornhusk, shoe laces
Height 14" (35.6 cm); width 12 1/4" (31.1 cm)
Provenance: Private Southern California collection; old collection label inscribed "Iroquois 6/22/26 Grand River Mrs. John Buck"
Husk Face masks represent earthbound spirits associated with agriculture, the hunt, and the changing of seasons within Haudenosaunee ceremonial life. 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 entirely from braided and layered cornhusk with shoe lace detailing, its large scale and dense construction giving it a commanding ceremonial presence. The old collection label places its acquisition to June 1926 at Grand River, the location of the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory in Ontario, Canada, one of the most significant Iroquois communities outside New York State. The subsequent Southern California private collection provenance connects it to the same documented group of early 20th century Iroquois material in this collection.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
