American Indian Horse Masks

The American Indian horse mask is a very rare and interesting piece, which once was more popular, and they were used in wars, ceremonies and parades.

The Martins have tirelessly brought front and center items still in use and from private collections and museums around the world. Finally they located 45 horse masks, most of them date from the 19th century. All but one were made prior to 1915.

Fine examples from the 19th century, still in the possession of proud descendants of their makers, and which have appearings in Indian parades like at Pendleton, OR, or at Calgary, Alberta, are illustrated herein. This survey of the masking tradition, therefore, extends from 1494 to the present day.

Scores of other masks are illustrated by 18th and 19th century indian paintings and drawings on rock, leather, cloth and paper, and by historic photographs. The symbolism and history of masks is thoroughly discussed and annotated with 200 stunning color images. There is an extensive bibliography and index.

Painting the face or body of a man or a horse is also a kind of masking. Therefore, a chapter on Cheyenne horse painting and its meaning and usage is also part of this volume, written by Winfield Coleman.

In 2007 the George Wittenborn Memorial Book Award was given to the authors and publisher of American Indian Horse Masks. In the same year, this wonderful book received a Bronze medal in the coffee table category of the Independent Publisher awards.