Q: Would you happen to know where this originated and if it is valuable enough to be appraised? My deceased cousin traveled the world for years, and this is one of her treasures. Beverly, 1829
A: It is Iroquois in style, made in the USA, and maybe worth enough to be appraised. All kinds of people love to see Native American masks on the walls of their cabins and rec rooms. The value can go up according to signature, date and condition.
One Comment
Jaden
The mask comes from the Six Nations territory in Ontario. Quite valuable to the Haudenosaunee confederacy but in no way within the form of currency. The masks are very sacred to many of the Haudenosaunee as well as should be to all. The masks are traditionally not supposed to be sold being that they are sacred and still used to this day for ceremonial rites but still many are wrongly sold unfortunately. So on that improper point of view many native art collectors see some masks as quite valuable in currency depending on craftsmanship,age and maker. The Haudenosaunee confederacy does ask that the masks be returned to them by non-natives including Museums, Art Galleries, Historical Societies, Universities, Commercial Enterprises, Foreign Governments, and Individuals. The Haudenosaunee Grand Council forbid the continuation of selling Iroquois masks for both natives and non-natives as it is an exploitation of Haudenosaunee culture. Public exhibition of these sacred masks has been forbidden by the Grand Council as well so they do also ask that online posts like such be removed. Not trying to disrespect or offend anyone. Just trying to shed some light on the matter and share words in the best way possible for a good outcome involving these sacred masks.