Traveling object – Horse Mask

July 16, 2014 by Gary Miller

This is a Northern Plains Blackfeet Horse Mask from our Paul Dyck Plains Indian Buffalo Culture Collection. It will be traveling to the Nelson Atkins Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, along with several other museum objects for the exhibition “The Plains Indians.”

The Horse Mask is made out of a tanned buffalo hide with brass tacks, wood, trade ribbons, trade cloth, and glass beads, and is painted with ochre.

The mount is made out of brass and plexi glass. Once the object is fitted on the mount, it appears to be floating, which was the effect the curator wanted.

mount made of Plexiglas, Brass and stocking. — Mount made of Plexiglas, brass, and stocking.

Blackfeet Horse Mask — The Horse Mask placed over the newly made mount. NA.403.215

Object: Horse mask, nineteenth century. Blackfeet, Northern Plains. The Paul Dyck Plains Indian Buffalo Culture Collection, acquired through the generosity of the Dyck family and additional gifts of the Nielson Family and the Estate of Margaret S. Coe. NA.403.215

About Gary Miller

Gary Miller is the Exhibition Production Manager. Mr. Miller has been with the Center for over 25 years. He works closely with the Curatorial, Registration, Conservation, Carpentry, and Graphics departments on the planning, layout, mount-making and installation of objects for exhibitions and gallery enhancements. Mr. Miller’s primary responsibility is ensuring the safety and integrity of the collections, during the creation of successful exhibitions. He has traveled with exhibitions as the Center’s representative to oversee packing, unpacking, and installation of exhibitions throughout the United States as well as in Europe.