Native American Death Mask

When someone dies, a piece of leather hide ie: deer/bison is tanned and wet thoroughly stretched over the deceased persons face. Formed carefully into each fold and crevace of the face. After it dries it is decorated and painted with the fiercest look possible. This is to ward off evil spirits in the next world. We were able to obtain this one in Telaqua, Oklahoma. No deceased person was used for this particular mask a living being was the model. We find it to be one of our most prized Native Art pieces.