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Guatemalan and Mexican Masks

By putting on another face, the mask wearer magically enters an altered state.

 

Today in Guatemala and Mexico, many indigenous groups use masks in the performance of dances and pageants. The exact meanings of these ceremonies may be long forgotten, but they typically enact a mythical story intended to bring fertility, yield a good harvest or scare away evil spirits. All traditional fiestas include folk dancing whose forms date back hundreds of years to the conquest and beyond. Some of these dances are rooted in traditions brought from Spain - these are usually the religious celebrations. Then there are the dances rooted in Mayan tradition where animal masks are often used in dances like "Toritos" (the Little Bulls), or "El Venado" (the Deer).

 

This collection of Guatemalan and Mexican masks comes from mostly indigenous villages.   Many have been used in various dances.  The masked dances, which often include costumes, are an enactment of religious and mythological themes. These themes originated in the Pre-Hispanic past when masks were buried with the dead, which  suggests they had a transformational function and meaning.  Today,  battles between good and evil taken from myths or religious stories, as well as scenes from everyday life are played out in carnivals and celebrations. 

 

Some of the most well known dances are those re-enacting the conquest with masks representing conquistadores such as Cortez or Alvarado and religious stories with saints and devils.  There are also masks made for specific dances like "el baile de los viejitos," dance of the old men.  And then there is the "baile de los Tecuanes," or dance of the wild beasts, where dancers wear masks of wild animals like jaguars or tigres.

Mexican mask

  $ 75

Mexican mask

  $ 75

Mexican mask

  $ 75

Mexican mask

  $ 75

Mexican mask

  $ 75

Mexican mask

  $ 75

Mexican mask

  $ 75

Oaxacan Jaguar

  $ 195

 

Cat by award-winning Guatemalan

artist Arturo Aj Canil

  $ 145

Skull by award-winning Guatemalan

artist Arturo Aj Canil

  $ 155

Skull and jaguar by award-winning Guatemalan artist Arturo Aj Canil

  $ 169

Green Skull Mask

   $ 45

 

Lion Mask

$ 55

Jaguar Mask

$ 55

Bright Skull Mask

   $ 45

Deer Mask

$ 45

 

Zebra Mask

$ 55

Land and sky mask by award-winning Guatemalan artist Arturo Aj Canil

  $ 165

Friendly Lion

45

Happy Jaguar

49

Rhino Mask

$ 55

 

   

Pig w/whiskers & teeth

 $ 149

 

Toro w/tongue

  $ 65

 

Friendly Billty Goat

SOLD

 

         Old Leather Jaguar

     $ 350

 

  Jaguar suit & mask

 $  550

  Mexican Jaguar

$ 345

   Chubby Cheeked Angel

      $ 125

 

Medium size Folk Art Masks

Chicken

$ 26

Deer

$ 26

Jaguar

$ 26

Jaguar

$ 26

Dog

$ 26

Rhino

$ 26

Charming mini-masks from Guatemala  - start your own zoo!

Small Lion

16

Small Deer

16

Ram

14

 

Jaguar

14

 

Chicken

14

 

Elephant

14

         

Horse

$ 14

 

Rabbit

14

Toucan

14

Deer

$ 14

Pig

$ 14

Toucan

21

 

Bird

$ 21

 

Oaxacan elaborately painted lizards 

Oaxacan Liazrds

$ 75 

 

Oaxacan Liazrds

$ 75 

Oaxacan Liazrd

$ 120

Oaxacan Liazrds

$ 225