Description:

**First Time At Auction**

Latin America, Mexico, Guerrero, ca. early 20th century CE. An evocative copper repousse mask depicting a bearded man with earrings of copper bells reminiscent of those once made by the Mixtec people of the region. The vibrant vizard features a lively face with a flowing beard, a crocodilian headdress, high cheek bones, bulging eyes with eye holes beneath, and an open mouth with 2 prominent front teeth. Braided strands of horsehair form a suspension band on the verso, allowing the mask to be worn or displayed. The verso additionally displays a chin rest and cloth covering, likely for greater comfort of the wearer. Sometimes called "barbones" or "bearded old men," masks of this type have been said to serve varying functions such as being used in the "rain-petitioning dance," serving as Carnival masks, representing the god Tlaloc, depicting a European man, and being used to chase Spaniards out of their pueblos in the mountains of Guerrero. Size: 9.8" W x 12.7" H (24.9 cm x 32.3 cm)

Similar masks can be found at the University of Delaware (69 Carnival Mask), the Hearst Museum of Anthropology at University of California, Berkeley (3-28625), and the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian (24/5791).

Provenance: private Goldstein collection, Denver, Colorado, USA. The Goldstein's have amassed their collection over the past six decades.

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#177100

  • Condition: Some very light bending to form, but otherwise intact and excellent with great remaining pigments and rich patina throughout.

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March 30, 2023 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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