Can anyone ID this. I am not sure if it is Native or not.

So today while magnet fishing my friend and I found this mask. It is not made of metal, (possibly porcelain) and was in a shallow brook. I'm not sure if it is Native American or not however it does appear to be really old.

 

not NA , with those markings....

 

I honestly have no idea what it could be.

 

just a thought... unusual Venetian?

 

I agree, definitely not Native American, and not "really old," just over-fired.

It appears to be a reddish-brown clay (which rules out the possibility of it being porcelain), which was glazed (ruling out it being Native American, as well, since they didn't use glaze on their pottery.)

The glaze was either put on too thick, or it was fired too long or too hot, causing it to bubble up. The resulting irregular shaped bubbles broke, leaving little sharp glass-like edges.

It may have been an art class project, or a studio pottery project, that obviously didn't work out as intended, and was thrown away, ending up in the brook.

 

May take me a few but I will try to get a pic.

 

We'll be here!

 

Now, photo's are funny critters...but , that's a well executed rear & u don't see that often on a mask...that wasn't made for wear.
I'm seeing what looks like a hard wood, but if you say it's some ceramic....I'm OK with that too.
I think this bears further investigation.....

 

Id guess 1970s studio pottery. I think its awesome,very tactile .

 

Not wood I know that for sure. I am going to bring to a local antique dealer and see what they think. Hard to tell from a photo I know.

 

Of course. Hoping to maybe find out something this weekend.

 

no offense, but unless the dealer has a tribal knowledge, I'd think it outside his purview.
No signature or makers marks at all...?

 

Oh...& by tribal....I guess I could include dance masks from different countries.

 

No offense taken. No markings anywhere. I figure if I start with a dealer they may be able to point me in the direction of someone who may know more.

 

Looks like a recently made decorative wall mask made more interesting by time spent underwater.

 

so far we're stumped.........go for it !!!

 

Very decorative, JLB.

I agree. Possibly home decorated Venetian style. If you think of the 'face' itself without the decoration, it looks very European.
There are a few European tribal cultures, but they don't make masks like this.