For your consideration is an Iroquois Seneca False Face Society Mask, early 1900 to mid 1900s. This hand-carved and painted wood mask is a "smallpox" mask with long woven cornhusk hair, large turned nose. Provenance: From an ex-Allard Auction and a private Jackson, Wyoming Native American Collection. Seneca False Face masks are sacred, carved wooden, or husk masks used by the Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) False Face Society for healing rituals. Representing forest spirits, these masks are considered living, with features like distorted mouths, metal eye plates, and long hair (horsehair or corn husk). They are worn to expel sickness and evil spirits. The ceremonial dance masks are worn to cure mankind of certain afflictions, to prevent future disease, and when put outdoors, to split destructive wind. The masks were carved from the wood of living trees. Traditionally, red-painted masks were carved in the morning and black-painted masks in the afternoon. The masks represent the Hadui or Hagoks, a forest spirit who lost a contest with the Creator. The masks are meant to honor this spirit, who was tasked with curing diseases and protecting travelers. The wood mask is painted in colours of white, red and black. Braided corn husk is used for hair. Reverse has a leather thong loop attached for wall hanging. Mask is in wonderfully preserved condition, entire mask measures 12"W x 30"L including the corn husk hair, wood mask alone is 7.5"W x 10.625"L. Combined weight is 1lb, 4oz.