Lot 13
Latin America, southern Mexico, Guerrero region, ca. early 20th century CE. A dramatic pair of dance masks comprised of hammered sheets of copper with prominent noses on the front and protruding bite tabs on the back. The larger of the two displays the visage of a man with a lengthy cascading beard. The bold face displays sizable, cyan eyes surrounded by heavy lashes and under thick brows, a pointed nose, and red lips held open to expose six upper and two lower tab-shaped teeth, all encompassed by a slithering snake striped with hues of yellow, red, white, and black. Coils of black hair fall down the forehead as two huge ears fit with copper bell earrings flank the curious visage. Note how the artist's careful attention to detail is evident in the incised bags beneath the eyes and deep nasolabial folds. Size of largest: 15.75" W x 30.875" H (40 cm x 78.4 cm)
The second mask boasts bulging eyes of azure above a sharp nose, round, pink cheeks, a petite mouth bearing two rows of teeth, a curled moustache, and a short, wispy beard, all flanked by two oversized ears and capped with straight locks of hair. Enormous lashes and broad brows further emphasize the vizard's eyes. Both masks display crescent apertures beneath the eyes, allowing for the wearer to see, as well as annular perforations on each side of the face and at the center of the forehead, so that the vizards may be strapped to one's face or suspended for display. Dance masks like this example were meant to represent Christian followers who would engage in dramatic battle scenes with masked Moors.
Provenance: private Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA collection; ex-Dr. David Harner collection, Springdale, Arkansas, USA, acquired between the 1950s and 1960s
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#161966
- Condition: White mineral deposits on front of both. Light chipping to paint in a few miniscule areas. Otherwise, intact and excellent with impressive remaining pigments.
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