CLASSIFICATION OF MASKS. 



From the preliminary remarks it will be realized that the term mask 

 is not a specific, but rather a family name, and that tbe classification of 

 objects so denominated is somewhat complicated. 



To begin with, we have three principal types to distinguish, for which 

 it is necessary to coin terms, since tbere are none in the English (if 

 indeed in any other) language which discriminate between them. 



1. The Mask. — An opaque object intended to be worn over tbe face, 

 and to conceal or defend it, normally with breathing and peep holes. 



2. The Maskette. — An object resembling a mask, but intended to be 

 worn above or below the face. Normally without perforations. 



3. The Maskoid. — An object resembling a mask or face, but not in- 

 tended to be worn at all. Normally, and almost invariably, imper- 

 forate. 



EVOLUTIONARY SERIES. 



Type 1. — Masks. 



A. For defense against physical violence, human or otherwise. Eolations individual. 



a. Passive. — Characterized by the purpose of offering a mechanical resist- 



ance to the opposing force, with or without aesthetic modification. 

 Transitional series from the simplest type to the metallic helmet. 



b. Active. — Characterized by the purpose of exerting a moral influence od 



the agent of the opposing force by exciting terror, either by direct hide- 

 ousness or by symbolizing superhuman agencies supposed to be friendly 

 to the wearer. Transitional series from the ordinary war mask aesthetic- 

 ally modified, to that of the shaman or of the priest. 



B. Symbolical of social agencies, associations, orders, professions, supernaturalisin. 

 Relations ordinal or tribal. 



a. Illustrative of tbe connection of the wearer with a particular association, 



band, order, or profession, having a common relation to the rest of the 

 community. 

 Examples. — Masks used by the Iroquois " False-faces; " the Zuni members of 

 the order of the Bow ; organizations for public games, dances, or theatri- 

 cals ; the " medicine men " or shamans ; ecclesiastics; the Tliukit clans 

 or totems. 



b. Illustrative of special rites, irrespective of the individual acting in ritual. 

 Example. — Masks used in religious ceremonies not purely ecclesiastical ; death 



masks. 



Type 2. — Maskettb6. 



A. Symbolical of social agencies, as in subdivision B, sections a and b of Type 1. 



Type 3. — Maskoids. 



A. Symbolical of relations with the supernatural. 



a. Of the individual. 



b. Of the community. 



All types and forms of masks, except, in some cases, the preserved 

 fragments of actual humanity, will fall into one or another of the pre- 

 ceding sections, which are, however, not divided from one another by 

 sharp lines of demarkatiou, but rather tend to a gradual transition. 



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