Inuit Carved Fossilized Whale Bone Mask country shows some wear

shows some wear

and also lovely

fashioned from a couple of clothespins I believe

and don't buy a lot of it

maybe mid-century or a little earlier

Inuit Carved Fossilized Whale Bone Mask country shows some wearThis is the second Inuit mask I've found carved of fossilized whale bone, which I always have an eye out for this one unsigned and the age of which I am not certain, though I would guess mid 20th century Native Alaskan Inuit, likely specifically Iupiat. These are often referred to as spirit masks, this one with what appears to be branching tree carved into the forehead, like an all seeing eye of the natural world. The lighter color and smooth texture