Expressionist ritual Yupik style figure, ceremonial art of the Inuit peoples. Carved from wood, intended for suspension. The subject represents a Tunghak spirit, a supernatural being associated with mammals and fish. The central aperture within the body symbolizes the passage to another world. Polychrome decoration with pigments. The Arctic regions of North America, known as "Inuit Nunangat," the Inuit people are related to the Yupit and Yupiks of Alaska and Siberia. Both Yupik and Eskimo peoples created ceremonial masks of widely varying size and appearance, following certain traditional conventions. On each occasion-often following a dream-the shaman would indicate the required mask to the carver, which he would then wear himself. The masks are associated with the souls ("yua") of various animals, particularly fish, which were to be honored through ritual. Good condition. Careful registered sending, combined shipping possible.