Northwest Coast, Alaska,Tlingit, Shaman’s Maskette STERLING SILVER Circa 1910

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Northwest Coast, Alaska,Tlingit, Shaman’s Maskette STERLING SILVER Circa 1910:
$999.00

A 3 DAY ONLYsale sale for this exceptionally beautiful and one of a kind STERLING SILVER….Tlingitceremonial dress ornament which dates to the very early 20th century( 1910 – 1915). It was manufactured in the repousse (embossed) manner to representa shaman in a state of trance. The half closed eyes of such masks/maskettesalways represent the shaman’s trance state (in between thereal and supernaturalworld) and symbolize his knowledge and wisdom.

This maskeette would’ve been attached to a very elaborateceremonial regalia and the wearer of the regalia would’ve participated (bydancing/singing) during an important potlatch. Although potlatches were bannedin the late 19th century….they weren’t entirely banned; and hence,many were held to commemorate important events such as…..marriages, births,naming, spreading of wealth, raising totems…honoring the departed leaders andimportant shamans.

The participant’s elaborate regalia, which must’ve been embellishedwith things like various trade beads, clan motif designs, abaloneshells..etc..etc also had a few valuable metal maskettes (such as thisspecimen) attached to the regalia….The fact that this specimen represents ashaman, suggests that that particular potlatch ceremony was held to commemoratethe passing of an important shaman.

One of this maskette’s previous owners attached an oldlabel tothe backside..the inscription on the label reads…(Tlingit Eskimo Peoples…”MedicineMan”)…..it’s incorrectly attributed to the Eskimo, however, some scholarsconsider the Tlingit as a sub-group of the Eskimo, so, there is some truth tothat.

Provenance:

Ex Vancouver, antique dealer’s collection for many years…hepurchased it from a San Francisco tribal art dealer in the early 1980’s

Present tribal art collection.

Measurements:

Length & width = 2 inches

Condition issues:

The maskette is in very condition for its 100+ year old age….justa few minor scratches on the backside..that’s it.

2 holes on the top of the maskette...through which threads would\'ve passed and sewn to the ceremonial regalia.

Unmarked and unsigned like all old N.W.C pieces.

*****THIS IS THE LAST OF THE DRESS ORNAMNET MASKETTES IMOFFERING FOR SALE……THIS IS A TRUE BEAUTY, A GEM OF A PIECE………IT COMES IN A JEWELLER’SBOX…AFTER ALL, IT IS A LITTLE TREASURE!!

***** A GORGEOUS SPECIMEN!!.........IT\'S A MASTERPIECE!!!!!!

****AN IMPORTANT PIECE TO ADD TO YOUR COLLECTION OF NORTHWEST COAST OBJECTS.

Thanks for looking and feel free to ask any questionsJ

GOOD LUCK offerDING!!