What a face! This piece was carved of porous whale bone--with grey shell used for the pupils and white walrus ivory for the irises--by Alaskan Inupiat master carver Mark 'Delutak' Tepton. Tepton comes from a line of Inupiaq wood and bone carvers, including his father John 'Nasoalook' Tetpon, with who he has often collaborated, and who learned from his father. His work has been widely exhibited and features in museum collections including that of the Portland Art Museum. While flat and created as a sculpture rather than to be worn, this piece, with wonderful wide open mouth, exposed tongue, and deeply carved vertical lines to suggest hair or hood, is closely in keeping with traditional 19th and 20th century Inuit whale bone carved shamanic masks used in ceremonial dances, depicting faces with stylized features and often quite dramatic expressions.
6" wide x 5 3/4" t x 5/8" d and signed (carved) with the initials MT on reverse. Very good vintage condition, with plenty of irregularities indigenous to the bone.