Jokum Sikemsen (1906) Rare West Greenland Inuit Ceremonial Masks 1960s

Sikemsen. Rare West Greenland Inuit Ceremonial Masks. 1960s. Dimensions: Female: Height: 13 inches. Width: 6 inches. Depth: 2 inches. Male: Height: 11 inches. Width: 6 ½ inches. Depth: 2 inches Description: Pair of Ceremonial Inuit mask made from driftwood. Male and female figure with grimacing and asymmetrical face. Engraved tattoos, with bone teeth. Both signed Jokum Sikemsen. Ca. 1960. The masks were used for drum dances and song duels known as “ Uaajeerneq” In the traditional form, the dancer could either wear a carved wood mask or paint his face with soot and wear a wooden stick in the mouth and often bind up the nose with a string to deform the face. Rare ceremonial masks, carved by Inuit hunter and mask carver, Jokum Sikemsen ( 1906-1975). Purchased directly from the artist and brought to Denmark during the 1960s.