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Mexican Ceremonial Mask · Polychrome Balsa Wood

$2,000
£1,495.49
€1,746.65
CA$2,810
A$2,846.38
CHF 1,634.33
MX$34,511.50
NOK 18,964.32
SEK 19,303.50
DKK 13,058.04

About the Item

Mexico, circa 1940–1960 · Hand-carved and polychrome balsa wood, original bells, original ribbons Some objects accumulate meaning over time. This mask is one of them. The face — pink skin, prominent elongated nose, red-pupiled eyes with painted lashes — carries the exaggerated expressiveness of something created to be seen in motion, from a distance, under open sky. This is not a face made for quiet contemplation: it is a face made for dance. The red headdress that crowns the piece holds much of its ritual character: three circular white discs — mirrors that catch the light — flanked by original bells and ribbons in green, yellow, and white that once moved with every step of the dancer. They are not decoration. They are the sound and movement of the mask, preserved in stillness. On one side, a segmented horn or tail in olive yellow adds an animal and supernatural dimension to the whole. The balsa wood — chosen for its exceptional lightness — allowed the wearer to move for hours without fatigue. All original elements are present and intact. A rarity.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 21.26 in (54 cm)Width: 11.03 in (28 cm)Depth: 25.2 in (64 cm)
  • Style:
    Folk Art (In the Style Of)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1940
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Mexico City, MX
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU4252251463102

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