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Iroquois mask – Mask of the Society of False Faces
“False Face” mask in wood with black patina and red pigment, hair made of horsehair.
The Society of False Faces, also called Ga’goh’sah masks, is the best known of the many medicinal societies of North Americans, particularly among the Iroquois.
Wooden masks called False Faces are used in several rituals, particularly curative ones. They have powers over the elements, against bad luck and illnesses. The morphology of these masks presents distorted features, sometimes close to caricature, sometimes amusing, sometimes frightening. These forms are dictated to shaman-healers by visions; these masks are considered very powerful and very dangerous. The creation of these masks is special, since they are carved from wood, while it is uncut, the mask draws its strength from the earth. We cut the tree once the mask is completed
REGION: USA
MATERIAL: Wood, horsehair
PERIOD: Reserve era, around 1920
SIZE: 34 x 13 x 7 cm
(Soclea)
inventory number: AM022
Ref: B723A8CYM1