Stunning Native American Masks Of The Early 20th Century

Published November 25, 2021
Updated March 7, 2025

Whether gorgeous or terrifying, these Native American masks reveal a group of cultures on the verge of disappearing forever.

Native American Masks Feathers
Mask of Tsunukwalahl
Feathers In Hat
Koskimo Native American Costume
Stunning Native American Masks Of The Early 20th Century
View Gallery

The essential irony of most any mask is that it doesn't actually conceal its wearer from the world, but instead expresses both their inner self and their culture better than their bare face ever could. While that may be less true today — as many modern masks are used for fun — it was certainly true of these Native American masks from the early 1900s.

From the Navajo to the Koskimo to the Kwakiutl and beyond, many Indigenous tribes across the Americas have historically placed great social and cultural importance on masks. Some are used in storytelling, while others are used in spiritual ceremonies. Yet others are used in dances.

Whatever their purpose, there's no doubt that these Native American masks are visually arresting. But for Indigenous people, these masks are so much more than just artistic creations. Among many tribes, these masks are sacred. In some cases, they may even be considered living entities.

But in the early 20th century, many of these cultural heirlooms were at risk of vanishing forever. At the time, the U.S. government was pushing hard for the disappearance of the cultures and tribes that these masks represented. From reservations to assimilation schools, white authorities were determined to force Native Americans into white society at any cost.

Around the same time, a photographer named Edward Curtis was determined to capture as many pictures of diverse Indigenous tribes as he could before their unique cultures were nearly wiped out forever. And in some of these photos, Native American masks made an appearance.

Take a look at some of Curtis' photos of these artifacts in the gallery above, along with minimally edited versions of his original photo captions.


After looking through these pictures of Native American masks, check out nine Native American women who have gone tragically overlooked in the history books. Then, read up on the Native American genocide.

author
John Kuroski
author
Based in Brooklyn, New York, John Kuroski is the editorial director of All That's Interesting. He graduated from New York University with a degree in history, earning a place in the Phi Alpha Theta honor society for history students. An editor at All That's Interesting since 2015, his areas of expertise include modern American history and the ancient Near East. In an editing career spanning 17 years, he previously served as managing editor of Elmore Magazine in New York City for seven years.
editor
Jaclyn Anglis
editor
Based in Brooklyn, New York, Jaclyn Anglis is the senior managing editor at All That's Interesting, where she has worked since 2019. She holds a Master's degree in journalism from the City University of New York and a dual Bachelor's degree in English writing and history from DePauw University. In a career that spans 11 years, she has also worked with the New York Daily News, Bustle, and Bauer Xcel Media. Her interests include American history, true crime, modern history, and science.
Citation copied
COPY
Cite This Article
Kuroski, John. "Stunning Native American Masks Of The Early 20th Century." AllThatsInteresting.com, November 25, 2021, https://allthatsinteresting.com/native-american-masks. Accessed July 30, 2025.