Description
Representing water spirits, these inventive crest masks combine various animal parts, including the horns of antelope and rams, and the tusks and trunks of elephants. Along with the water birds pegged on the front and back of each crest—one of which is missing—these animals refer to land and water, the human world and the supernatural underwater realm—both domains where water spirits exercise their power.
Provenance
Richard Faletti (died 2006) and Barbara Faletti (died 2000), Chicago, Ill. and Phoenix, Ariz., by 1997; given to the Art Institute, 2000.
Accession Number
273357
Medium
Wood, pigment, and string
Dimensions
26.4 × 21 × 42.2 cm (10 3/8 × 8 1/4 × 16 5/8 in.)
Classification
masks
Credit Line
Gift of Richard Faletti, the Faletti Family Collection