Krampus Mask CWW4

The Krampus is a mythical creature which is sent to scare naughty children before Christmas.

Made from natural materials, including bearded wheat heads, this highly decorative mask has been handmade using a variety of traditional weaving and plaiting techniques. It has two small brass loops on the back so that string can be attached and the mask can be hung on a wall, as shown in the last photograph.

The craft of corn dolly making is becoming a dying art: the straw needed for dolly making is becoming harder to find and only grown by a few specialist farmers and, as a result, there are relatively few people making traditional corn dollies on a regular basis – all the more reason to try to ensure that this folk craft survives.
Having stumbled into corn dolly making by chance some years ago the maker of this piece, Carol Partridge, now researches and makes traditional designs associated with different areas of the British Isles as well as looking further afield to similar customs in other countries; my work also includes more modern versions using traditional techniques.