Lot 148A
West Mexico, Nayarit, Jesus Maria, ca. mid 20th century CE. A Mexican papier mache mask depicting a fearsome hog created by the Cora Indians of Jesus Maria in Nayarit, Mexico. The mask is hand painted in hues of red and black and further detailed with attached bushy hair and sharp wooden teeth, and has openings at the eyes and nose for the wearer. Back opening is lined with quilted material and has cloth ties for the wearer. During la Semana Santa (Holy Week) the indigenous wear frightening demon masks and walk in a procession during a sacred ritualistic ceremony. This piece was specifically for the Holy Week Dance and traditionally would have been thrown into a river or body of water on the final day of the fiesta to desintegrate. Fortunately, this one survived, making it extremely rare. Size: 12"L x 10"W x 7-1/4"D
Just a bit of cultural context: The Easter Holy Week signifies the death and resurrection of Christ, yet, according to scholar Deborah Bell, "it coincides with purification rites and rain petitioning ceremonies that alternate with Carnival." Traditional Passion Plays that represent the struggle between good and evil did not mesh with the Indians' belief in duality, where good and evil may coexist in the life cycle. The Cora Indians, "have substituted the theme of the struggle of the sun against the forces of the night. Christ is transformed into the sun and his persecutors, known as Romans, Jews, Devils and the Pharisees, who are the forces of the night. The masks are made out of papier mache and traditionally get thrown into the river the last day of the fiesta to represent the triumph of the Sun." This mask represents one of these forces of the night. (Deborah Bell, Masquerade: Essays on Tradition and Innovation Worldwide, 2015, p. 96). Provenance: Ex-private A. Carmichael collection, New Orleans, Louisiana, acquired in early 1980's. All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. #109897
- Condition: Intact with expected surface wear and tip of tongue perhaps showing bit of loss.
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