Animal Masks “Wild Things” Animal Masks by James Perkins 20th Century

“Wild Things” Animal Masks by James Perkins 20^th Century

Mixed media: fur, feathers, resin, textile; wearable sculpture

Commissioned and crafted for Parnham Park’s revival under James Perkins, these masks evoke the spirit of English woodland fauna—fox, badger, owl, hawk, and wildcat—through tactile realism and performative intent. Originally worn during moonlit gatherings at the Elizabethan estate, they blur boundaries between costume, taxidermy, and contemporary sculpture.

Each mask is designed not merely for display but for activation: to be worn, inhabited, and transformed. Their aesthetic draws on animist traditions, Victorian naturalism, and the immersive theatricality of Perkins’ “Modern Grand Tour.” Provenance: Acquired from Parnham Park: A Modern Grand Tour, Dreweatts, 2025

Comparative Holdings: V&A (masquerade), Horniman Museum (ethnographic masks), MoMI (cinematic hybrids)

Curatorial Note: These masks exemplify performative sculpture sculpture—where the collector becomes the character, and the object becomes a portal.

Height 26cm, Width 30cm, Depth 20cm – approx