False Face

[Pudding Boy]

I should finish my current project this weekend. I then plan to start an Iroquois False Face.

Anyone carve one of these before? Research is fascinating.

[northwood bob]

I just did a quick search of the archives and found 3 articles that carved native American faces. You may want to look at these as well as doing another search

Spring 2007 issue 38
Summer 2002 issue 19
Summer 1999 issue 7

These issues should be available for sale

Bob

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

What is a Iroquois False Face ?

Dave

[AlArchie]

The eastern Iroquois tribes had a false face society.....sort of an upper class spiritual group. They carved and wore rather grotesque masks from live trees. The living trees were supposed to impart a strong Manitou or spirit to the mask, and the were not removed from the tree till the mask was complete.

Al

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Thanks Al !

Dave

[Dagwood]

Learn something new every day... id like to see this when its done

[Dicky]

Grotesque is right Al, there is one in the Canadian Museum of Man that looks like it was kicked in the chin by a horse and put it about 4 inches of centre. It did have a great paint job though.

[Pudding Boy]

My inspiration is a kindly old gentleman from my Boy Scout days who had such a mask in our Mic-o-Say program. It is a program for senior scouts here in the Kansas City Area to encourage older boys to continue in the program and learn leadership by teaching the younger kids. It also was to teach good values. I guess carving that mask has always been in the back of my head. "Pappy" I understand carved the mask himself. He was a talented and giving person who spent summers at scout camp and winters teaching high school. Attached is his picture and the mask I want to reproduce is in his right hand.

[dhjrcarver]

Just as a side note, the Iroquois people regard these masks as very sacred and used for healing ceremonies.They find it highly offensive to see "False Face Masks" for sale or on public display.
Don Holsinger

[Pudding Boy]

Originally Posted by dhjrcarver

Just as a side note, the Iroquois people regard these masks as very sacred and used for healing ceremonies.They find it highly offensive to see "False Face Masks" for sale or on public display.
Don Holsinger

I am very much aware of that. I do not intend to sell or display the mask I am carvng it for my own experience. My interest and intent is clear in my additional post.