Yup'ik Mask

Yup'ik masks are ceremonial and artistic objects created by the Yup'ik peoples of southwestern Alaska, crafted by skilled artisans known as nunarpak or designated carvers within their communities. These masks were traditionally used in elaborate winter ceremonies called Kelek, serving as conduits between the human and spirit worlds, and are recognized as among the most visually complex and spiritually significant indigenous art forms in North America. Historic examples from the 19th and early 20th centuries frequently appear at major auction houses, where they command significant prices as masterworks of Native American art.