Until the end of the 19th century, religious practices were dominated by shamanism. As religious leader of a group, the shaman was assisted by many spirits represented by masks during ritual dances. Such masks usually display human and animal elements, occasionally with grotesque features. They bear witness to the technical prowess of Eskimo carving skills which are also reflected in the richly decorated figures made of bone or walrus ivory.

Half mask
Alaska Eskimo, 1882/83
Jacobsen Collection