Seaman’s Masks

Seaman’s Masks

A large number of these Seaman's masks were produced in the middle and late 1800's although some were apparently made much earlier. They were almost always custom made and represented actual people, although some may have been used as performance masks. Sailors would sit while the carver made a sketch on a blank and it could be ready in as little as three days. It was one of the businesses organized by Ludwig Werner for the Pagu and he may even have carved some himself. It was seamen's masks like this one which provided much of the impetus for the golden age of mask carving. Masks and other curios sought by visiting seamen provided a market which enabled carvers to obtain steel blades and other tools. With the decline of the whaling industry and the advent of larger steam powered ships there was no longer a market for these masks.

The pipe is an unusual feature on this mask and its realistic nature suggest that it was modeled on a real one. Tobacco remained a novelty in Nullenesia. While it could be grown the quality was poor and it was usually mixed with other herbs and reserved for specific occasions. Similarly alcohol was consumed at their bacchanals by all ages, but was seldom used at other times.