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Painted wooden clan mask depicting a bear / Virgil Crowe

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Essay/Description

Painted buckeye wooden mask with the face of an eastern black bear.

Curatorial Remarks

This is a Cherokee booger mask of a bear. Most Cherokee booger masks made in the mid-20th - late 20th century were made for sale. Cherokee booger masks were originally worn during healing dances. The specific origin of these masks are unknown. Most masks are made out of wood. Some are made out of gourd or wasp nest.

Tags: Cherokee booger mask, wood, paint, bear
People: Cherokee
Places: Oklahoma, Southeast
Purpose: ceremonial events, dances, commercial sale

From interviews with Dr. Garrick Bailey, 2018-2020 University of Tulsa, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology

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©Gilcrease Museum
Title(s): 
Painted wooden clan mask depicting a bear
Creator(s): 
Virgil Crowe (Artist)
Culture: 
Native American; Cherokee, Eastern (artist and user)
Date: 
1996
Materials/Techniques: 
wood (buckeye), paint
Classification: 
Ethnographic Objects
Object Type: 
Booger Mask
Credit Line: 
Purchased with funds gifted by the Frankie Van Johnson Fund
Accession No: 
73.736
Previous Number(s): 
TL1997.2; 73.736; 73--.736; 19770
Department: 
Anthropology
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