Inuit Carved Fossilized Whale Bone Mask Olin Dows 1933 woodcut 8 stacked chip carved layers

8 stacked chip carved layers on the pocket

The cradle itself it great in its old creamy white paint

into which it had just very recently been placed

which I believe likely dates to the 1830s or so

which Bennington is known for

Inuit Carved Fossilized Whale Bone Mask Olin Dows 1933 woodcut 8 stacked chip carved layersThis 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