Native Alaskan ceremonial mask of wood, carved and painted in the image of a human face with minimal definition of features such as the eyebrows, nose, mouth and eyes. The overall simplicity of the face is both elegant and masterful in this modestly sized wooden mask. Narrow, elongated openings define the eyes, an oblong opening defines the mouth, and the long, slender nose has two nostril openings. The surface has been painted with what may have been an ivory color pigment (now sparse and greyed) and features a black band across the upper forehead, likely representing hair. Small holes on either side of the mask, just below the level of the eyes, would have been used for fastening ribbons or sinew of some type; there is also one off-center hole in the chin area, pupose unknown. The back view shows the unpainted wood. The mask is listed in museum records from the 1890s as an "Eskimo Mask. King Island and wooden false face - King Island." Current research suggests this was likely made by the Iñupiat, a native Alaskan tribe. King Island, called Ugiuvak in Iñupiat, was the home of an Iñupiat tribe. The Iñupiat are a native Alaskan people, whose traditional territory goes from the Norton Sound to the Bearing Sea. At present, no Iñupiat live on King Island, although many homes remain there. They now live in Nome, Alaska, and have maintained their cultural identity there. Current research into this mask indicates two possible uses: the first, that it is a cultural artifact and was used in ceremonies in the Iñupiat culture; the second, that it was intended for sale to visiting tourists. The obvious wear on the piece suggests it might be an authentic cultural artifact, however that is not a certain method to determine its original purpose. The fine calibre of the piece also suggests it is above "tourist trade" quality. Research is ongoing. There is debate about the appropriate term that should be used for cultures native to the northern circumpolar region. Eskimo is considered a pejorative term in Canada and Greenland, but this opinion is not shared by others. The use of the word Inuit does not cover all native cultures either, as Native Alaskans do not fall strictly under the definition of Inuit. It is a complex issue, and because the Barnum Museum does not know the exact group of peoples with whom this artifact is associated, the general term Northern Circumpolar people has been used in the description and Inuit in the subject headings.
