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 this is uncut, the mask draws its strength from the earth. The tree is cut once the mask is completed REGION: USA MATERIAL: Wood, horsehair PERIOD: Reserve period, circa 1920 DIMENSION: 34 x 13 x 7 cm (Based)