Note:
With the high cost of shipping many of our customers choose to ship by USPS. For small and light shipments this is usually less expensive, but please be aware that their estimates are often wrong and their service can be very slow (sixteen days for Priority Mail from Philadelphia to New York City recently). The service is not always as economical as it may appear, particularly on larger or more valuable shipments. USPS estimates only include insurance up to $100 for its domestic shipments. If you ask for full insurance we will recalculate the shipping cost and send you an invoice for any difference in cost. For overseas shipments USPS will not insure for over $650. On request we can get estimates for overseas shipping from DHL.

Mexican Folk Artists

About the Artist

Region:
Cristo Crucificado Nicho
SKU: Nicho-33

Artist unknown.  Oaxaca, Mexico, 1st half of 20th cent.  
Mixed media - Wood, gesso and paint figure with fabric, paper, tin-foil in wood and glass box.
(14 1/2" w. x 7 3/4" d. x 27 1/4" h.)

$1800

Green Snake Mask attributed to Victoriano Salgado of Michoacan
SKU: MXM-156

Unsigned but attributed to Victoriano Salgado Morales (1920 - 2012)
Uruapan, Michoacan, Mexico,
c.1970 - 1980
Maque lacquer on wood.
(11.5" H x 9" W x 6.5" D.)
Provenance: estate of artist William Scharf, NYC.

A prolific designer and maker of wooden, maque, decorative masks used by dancers in Purépecha fiestas, one of Grand Masters of Mexican Folk art and one of last skilled masters of this unique art form. Mr. Salgado learned this skill from several mask makers of the Magdalena neighborhood where he grew up. His first mask dates back to 1950 and it was a "Negrito" folk dance mask.

Victoriano's masks are not painted, the process used for color is a highly superior technique called "maque", which is a pre-hispanic process involving numerous applications of natural earth and insect pigments and oils applied with the palm of the hand that hardens into a brilliant, lustrous surface.

Mr. Salgado created over 60 different masks, the most famous: dance of the Señor Naranjo, and the dance of the Tataqueri, Corcovi, Negritos and Viejitos.

He passed away on September 2012 two weeks before receiving the Erendira Award, The highest prize given by the Michoacan State Government.

$1150

"Guerrero" Ball-player Mask attributed to Victoriano Salgado of Michoacan
SKU: MXM-137

Unsigned but attributed to Victoriano Salgado Morales (1920 - 2012)
Uruapan, Michoacan, Mexico,
c.1970 - 1980
Maque lacquer on wood.
(9" h. x 7” w. x 5” d.)

A prolific designer and maker of wooden, maque, decorative masks used by dancers in Purépecha fiestas, one of Grand Masters of Mexican Folk art and one of last skilled masters of this unique art form.  Mr. Salgado learned this skill from several mask makers of the Magdalena neighborhood where he grew up. His first mask dates back to 1950 and it was a "Negrito" folk dance mask.

Victoriano's masks are not painted, the process used for color is a highly superior technique called "maque", which is a pre-hispanic process involving numerous applications of natural earth and insect pigments and oils applied with the palm of the hand that hardens into a brilliant, lustrous surface. 

Mr. Salgado created over 60 different masks, the most famous: dance of the Señor Naranjo, and the dance of the Tataqueri, Corcovi, Negritos and Viejitos.

He passed away on September 2012 two weeks before receiving the Erendira Award, The highest prize given by the Michoacan State Government.

$950

San Antonio Nicho Bolivia
SKU: Nicho-32

Artist unknown.  Oaxaca, Mexico, 1st half of 20th cent.  
Mixed media - Wood, gesso and paint figure with fabric, paper, tin-foil in wood and glass box.
(8 1/4" w. x 5 3/4" d. x 16 3/4" h.)

$750

Nuestra Senora de Dolores or Mater Dolorosa (Our lady of Sorrows)
SKU: RTB-7

Retablo Santo, Mexico, late 19th cent.
Oil paint on tinplate
(14" h. x 10" w.)

$695

San Francisco de Paola (St. Francis of Paola)
SKU: RTB-5

Retablo Santo, Mexico, late 19th cent.
Oil paint on tinplate
(14" h. x 10" w.)
 

$695

Shrine for the Virgin - Vintage Oaxaca Shrine by Antonio Villafañe
SKU: AVF-2402

Antonia Villafañe Acevedo
Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico, c.1990
Wood painted with acrylic paints.
(19 1/2" w. x 9 3/4“ d. x 28” h.)

$600

"Vieja" Maque mask from Michoacan
SKU: mxm-140

Unsigned but attributed to Victoriano Salgado Morales (1920 - 2012)
Dance of Los Viejitos.  Uruapan, Michoacan, Mexico,
mid-20th century.
"Maque" lacquer on carved wood.
(8 3/4” h. x 6 5/8” w. x 5 1/2” d.)

$575

Mano Poderoso (Hand of power) - Vintage Oaxaca Shrine by Antonio Villafañe
SKU: AVF-2401

Antonia Villafañe Acevedo
Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico, c.1990
Wood painted with acrylic paints.
(12 3/4" w. x 9 1/2" d. x 17" h.)

$500

Santo Nino de Atocha (The Child of Atocha)
SKU: RTB-6

Retablo Santo, Mexico, late 19th cent.
Oil paint on tinplate
(14" h. x 10" w.)

$495

Moro Mask (#mxm105)
SKU: mxm-105

Puebla, Mexico,
mid-20th century
wood, oil paint
(7 1/2" w. x 51/4" d. x 8 1/4" h.)

$395

Man with a Moustache - Mask
SKU: MXM-155

Unknown artist - Michoacan, Mexico,
mid-20th century
wood, oil lacquer paint
(8" H x 6.25" W x 3.25" D. )

$375

Moro Mask
SKU: mxm-099

Carnival - Hidalgo, Mexico,
mid-20th century
wood, oil paint
(6" w. x 3 3/4" d. x 61/4" h.)

$360

Matachines Mask
SKU: mxm-112

Dance of the Matachines. El Arenal, Yahualica, Hidalgo, Mexico,
c.1950's
wood, oil and water-based paints
(6 3/4" w. x 5 3/4" d. x 8" h.)

10% off

$390 $351

Diablo Mask (#mxm107)
SKU: mxm-107

Guerrero, Mexico,
mid-20th century
wood, oil paint
(9" w. x 4 1/2" d. x 10 1/4" h.)

$325

Mariachis Muertos
SKU: MXMN-008

Painted clay figures in wood box with glass front.
(2 3/4" h. x 2 1/2" w. x 1 1/2" d.)
Exact designs vary.

$14

Product Status: 
Temporarily out of stock
Leather Tigre Mask (#mxm075)
SKU: mxm-075

Acatlan, Guerrero, Mexico,
c. 1980's.
Leather w/ oil paint, mirrors, w/ custom steel stand.
(9" w. x 7" d. x 14" h.)

10% off

$775 incl. custom stand

Product Status: 
Sold
Diablo con Serpientes Mask from Mexico
SKU: MXM-135

Diablo mask with three snakes, dance and state undetermined - Mexico,
early 20th century
wood, oil paint, ribbon
(14” w. x 9.5” d. x 22”h.).
Ex. Brand collection.

$650

Product Status: 
Sold
Old Mask with mustache  from Guerrero
SKU: MXM-151

"Negrito Colmilludo" (tusked little black one) mask.  
Artist Unknown.  Probably Coastal Mixtec, Guerrero or Oaxaca, Mexico, mid-20th century.
Carved wood w/ oil paint.
(7 1/2" h. x 7” w. x 4” d.)
Tag on back says "Zorroros"

Ex. collection of Jonathan Fisher

$550

Product Status: 
Sold
Maque Snake mask from Michoacan
SKU: MXM-142

Unsigned but attributed to Victoriano Salgado Morales (1920 - 2012)
Dance of Los Viejitos.  Uruapan, Michoacan, Mexico,
mid-20th century
"Maque" lacquer on carved wood.  (9 3/4” h. x  6 3/4” w. x 4” d.)

$550

Product Status: 
Sold
Viejo Mask
SKU: MXM-078

Attributed to Victoriano Salgado Morales (1920 - 2012) Uruapan, Michoacan, Mexico,
c. 1990
"maque" lacquer, wood, animal teeth
(6 3/4" w. x 5" d. x 7 1/2" h.)

 

$475

Product Status: 
Sold
"Viejo" Maque mask from Michoacan
SKU: MXM-141

Unsigned but attributed to Victoriano Salgado Morales (1920 - 2012)
Dance of Los Viejitos.  Uruapan, Michoacan, Mexico,
mid-20th century
Maque lacquer on wood with natural fiber and animal teeth.
(8 1/2" h. x 6 1/2” w. x 4 1/2” d.)

$475

Product Status: 
Sold
Diablo Mask with Reptiles
SKU: MXM-118

Guerrero, Mexico, 20th century.
Carved wood w/ oil paint, animal horn, misc. materials.
21” w. x 21" h. x 12” d.
From a private collection.

$395

Product Status: 
Sold
Diablo (Blue Devil) Mask (#mxm113)
SKU: mxm-113

Manuel Abeiro Horta Ramos
Tocuaro, Michoacan, Mexico,
c.2014
wood, oil enamel
(8" w. x 7 1/2" d. x 9 1/2" h.)

$385

Product Status: 
Sold
Tecuan Mask - Dance of the Tejorones
SKU: MXM-128

Tecuan Mask - Dance of the Tejorones - Cuatepec, Guerrero, Mexico, mid-20th century.
Carved wood w/ oil-based paints.
6 1/4” w. x 7 3/4” h. x 3 1/2” d.
Ex. Brand collection.

$375

Product Status: 
Sold
Moor Mask
SKU: MXM-129

Moor Mask - Guerrero, Mexico, mid-20th century.
Carved wood w/ oil-based paints.
6" w. x 9 1/2” h. x 3 1/2” d.
Ex. Brand collection.

$375

Product Status: 
Sold
Mustachioed Man from Michoacan Mask
SKU: MXM-150

Juan Horta Castillo
Tocuaro, Michoacan, Mexico,
Signed and dated Sept. 18, 1993
wood, oil enamel
(9" h. x 6 3/4” w. x 5” d.)

$375

Product Status: 
Sold
Chivo Mask (#mxm085)
SKU: mxm-085

Carnaval de Chivos - San Bartolo, Hidalgo, Mexico,
c. 1990's
wood, oil paint, goat horn, Horse hair, ribbon, steel wire
(9" w. x 5" d. x 18" h.)

$365

Product Status: 
Sold
Maringuilla Mask (#mxm114)
SKU: mxm-114

Juan José Horta Ramos
Tocuaro, Michoacan, Mexico,
c.2014
wood, oil enamel
(7" w. x 4 1/2" d. x 8" h.)

$325

Product Status: 
Sold
"Negrito" Mask with Crown from  Michoacan
SKU: MXM-122

Michoacan, Mexico, mid-20th century.
Carved wood w/ oil paint, with crown of steel, paper, string, mirror, misc. materials, with custom steel stand.
6 1/2” w. x 11”h. x 6 1/2” d., not including metal stand.
Ex. Brand collection.

$325

Product Status: 
Sold
Mixtec Viejo Moor Mask
SKU: MXM-125

Mixtec region, Oaxaca, Mexico, mid-20th century.
Carved wood w/ oil paint, with animal hair on skin.
6" w. x 8 1/2” h. x 3 1/4” d.
From a private collection.

$325

Product Status: 
Sold
El Pocho Dance Mask from Tabasco
SKU: MXM-131

El Pocho dance - Teposque, Tabasco, Mexico,
c. 1970's
wood, automotive oil paint,
(6" w. x 5" d. x 7 1/2" h.).
Ex. Brand collection.

 

$325

Product Status: 
Sold
Diablo Mask with Reptiles
SKU: MXM-119

Guerrero, Mexico, 20th century.
Carved wood w/ oil paint.
8 1/4” w. x 16 1/2" h. x 7 1/4” d.
Ex. Brand collection.

20% off

$325

Product Status: 
Sold
Diablo Mask
SKU: MXM-076

Pastorela dance - Uruapan, Michoacan, Mexico,
c. 1990
lacquer, wood, animal teeth, cow horns
(15" w. x 6 1/4" d. x 11 1/2" h.)

 

$320

Product Status: 
Sold
Diablo "Satanas" Mask
SKU: MXM0-077

Pastorela dance - Uruapan, Michoacan, Mexico,
c. 1990
lacquer, wood, animal teeth, cow horns
(13" w. x 6 1/4" d. x 11" h.)

$320

Product Status: 
Sold
Venado Mask (#mxm097)
SKU: MXM-097

Carnival - Carpinteros, Hidalgo, Mexico,
20th century
wood, oil paint
(22" w. x 5" d. x 19" h.)

$310

Product Status: 
Sold
Chantolo Mask from Hidalgo
SKU: MXM-126

Chantolo mask - Chililco, Hidalgo, Mexico, mid-20th century.
Carved wood w/ oil paint.
6 1/4" w. x 8 1/4” h. x 4” d.
Ex. Brand collection.
 

$295

Product Status: 
Sold
Chantolo Mask from Hidalgo
SKU: MXM-130

Chantolo mask -  Hidalgo, Mexico, mid-20th century.
Carved wood w/ oil and mineral-based paints.
6 1/4" w. x 8 1/4” h. x 3 1/2” d.
Ex. Brand collection.

20% off

$295

Product Status: 
Sold
Negrito Mask
SKU: MXM-123

Michoacan, Mexico, mid-20th century.
Carved wood w/ oil paint.
6 1/2” w. x 8 1/4" h. x 4 1/4” d.

$295

Product Status: 
Sold
Borrachos at a table - vintage Oaxaca wood carving
SKU: INVZ-9501

Inocencio Vasquez Melchor
San Martin Tilcajete, Oaxaca, Mexico, c.1995
Four figures with articulated arms and legs, table and bottles.  Wood painted with acrylic paints.
(Table:  4" w. x 5 1/2" d. x 4" h., figures 11" high, standing)

$285

Product Status: 
Sold
"Aventurero" Negrito Mask
SKU: MXM-120

Silacayopan, Oaxaca, Mexico, mid-20th century.
Carved wood w/ oil paint, added materials.
6" w. x 6 3/4” h. x 3 1/4” d.
Ex. Brand collection.

 

$275

Product Status: 
Sold
"Silaca Perro Cupido" Negrito Mask
SKU: MXM-121

Silacayopan, Oaxaca, Mexico, mid-20th century.
Carved wood w/ oil paint, added materials.
6 1/4" w. x 7” h. x 2 3/4” d.
Ex. Brand collection.

$275

Product Status: 
Sold
Huastec "Chantolo" mask from Hidalgo
SKU: MXM-132

Chantolo dance - Huasteca region, Hidalgo, Mexico,
c. 1970's
wood,  oil paint, metal foil.
(5.75" w. x 3.5" d. x 7.5" h.).
Ex. Brand collection.

$275

Product Status: 
Sold
One-eyed Man - Mexican Moor Mask
SKU: MXM-124

Veracruz(?), Mexico, mid-20th century.
Carved wood w/ oil paint.
6” w. x 6 1/2" h. x 5” d.
Ex. Brand collection.

$275

Product Status: 
Sold
Cristo Crucificado Nicho
SKU: Religart-23

Oaxaca, Mexico, 1st half 20th cent.
Mixed media - Wood, gesso and paint figure with fabric, paper, tin, tin-foil in wood and glass box.
(6" w. x 3 1/4" d. x 10 3/4" h.)

$250

Product Status: 
Sold
"Maringuilla" Carnival Mask from Veracruz
SKU: MXM-116

Viejito dance, Carnival, Veracruz, Mexico,
mid-20th cent.  Originally part of pair with mask #MXM-117.
Wood painted with oil paints,w/ metal earrings
(7 3/4” w x 7 1/4” h x 4 1/4” d.)

$250

Product Status: 
Sold
Carnival Mask of Man from Veracruz
SKU: MXM-117

Viejito dance, Carnival, Veracruz, Mexico,
mid-20th cent.  Originally part of pair with mask #MXM-116.
Wood painted with oil paints.
(6 1/4” w x 7” h x 4” d.)
Ex. Brand collection.

20% off

$250

Product Status: 
Sold
Tocotin Mask from Veracruz
SKU: MXM-138

Tocotin mask - Danza de Tocotines, Moors and Christians, Totonac people, Papantla region, Veracruz, Mexico, mid-20th century.
Carved wood w/ oil-based paints.
8 1/2” h. x 7” w. x 5” d.

20% off

$250

Product Status: 
Sold
Yaqui "Pascola" Mask from Sonora
SKU: MXM-133

Pascola dance - Yaqui people, Sonora, Mexico,
c. 1980's
wood,  oil paint, horse hair.
(5.75" w. x 4" d. x 7" h., not including horse hair).
Ex. Brand collection.

$245

Product Status: 
Sold
Yaqui or Mayo "Pascola" Dog Mask from Sonora
SKU: MXM-149

Pascola dance - Yaqui or Mayo people, Sonora, Mexico,
c. 1990's
wood,  oil paint, horse hair.
(7 3/4" h. x 6 1/4” w. x 5 1/4” d., not including horse hair).

$240

Product Status: 
Sold
Yaqui or Mayo "Pascola" Bat Mask from Sonora
SKU: MXM-144

Pascola dance - Yaqui or Mayo people, Sonora, Mexico,
c. 1990's
wood,  oil paint, horse hair.
(9 1/2” h. 8” w. x 5” d., not including horse hair).

$240

Product Status: 
Sold
Yaqui or Mayo Rooster  "Pascola" Mask from Sonora
SKU: MXM-147

Pascola dance - Yaqui or Mayo people, Sonora, Mexico,
c. 1990's
wood,  oil paint, horse hair.
(9 1/2" h. x 5 1/4” w. x 4” d., not including horse hair).

$240

Product Status: 
Sold
Virgen de Soledad Nicho
SKU: Religart-22

Oaxaca, Mexico, 1st half 20th cent.
Mixed media - Wood, gesso and paint figure with fabric, paper, tin-foil in wood and glass box.
(5 1/2" w. x 2 3/4" d. x 10 1/2" h.)
 

SOLD

Product Status: 
Sold
Humming-bird Mask (#mxm093)
SKU: mxm093

Carnaval - Carpinteros, Hidalgo, Mexico,
c. 1990's
wood, oil paint,
(6" w. x 14 1/4" d. x 14" h.)

$195

Product Status: 
Sold
Skull Mask
SKU: MXM-139

Skull mask - Unknown dance, unknown region, Mexico, mid-20th century.
Carved wood w/ wax, mineral pigments.
7" h. x 5 1/2” w. x 4” d.

20% off

$175

Product Status: 
Sold
Frida
SKU: JEAG-9501

Jesus Aguilar Alcantara
Ocotlan de Morelos, Oaxaca, Mexico, c.1995.
Fired clay figure painted with acrylic paints.
(5" w. x 4" d. x 10" h.)
Vintage piece, in excellent condition.

$145

Product Status: 
Sold
Otomi Amate Paper Spirit Painting - Chile Seed Spirits
SKU: OTMI-02

Four fertlity figures made of cut light amate bark paper on dark amate paper, depicting four chile seed spirits. Otomi people, San Pablito, Puebla, Mexico, c.1980.  (24" x 16")

$125

Product Status: 
Sold
Long-legged Frog from Oaxaca
SKU: BLTC-01

Green Frog
Baltasar C. - Oaxaca, Mexico
Wood painted with acrylic paints
(3 1/2" w. x 12" d. x 3 1/2" h.)

$125

Product Status: 
Sold
Perro Mask (#mxm087)
SKU: mxm-087

Decorative mask - Guerrero, Mexico,
c. 1970's
wood, oil paint
(8" w. x 4 1/2" d. x 12" h.)

25% off

$125

Product Status: 
Sold
Venado "Trophy Head"
SKU: OAXC-9501

Undetermined Artist.  Oaxaca, Mexico.  c.1990.
Wood painted with acrylic paints
(4" w. x 5" d. x 9 1/2" h.)

$78

Product Status: 
Sold
Mexican Papier Maché Mouse Mask
SKU: MPM-03

Celaya, Guanajuato, Mexico,
Mid-20th century.
Molded papier maché mask.  Made on traditional clay mask mold.
(10” h. x 8” w. x 5” d.)

Purchased in Mexico c.1985.

Inexpensive masks of paper or pasteboard (máscaras de cartón), formed over a pottery mold and then painted, have been made in Mexico for perhaps a century or longer. Máscaras Mexicanas, a book featuring photographs of Mexican masks, was initially published in Mexico City in about 1926, with a prologue by Roberto Montenegro. There are about 20 of these paper mache masks in the book, along with others of wood and pre-Conquest masks made of other materials such as stone. Moya Rubio included a selection of these masks in plate 188, on page 157 ( Máscaras: la Otra Cara, 1986). Notes from  the late Bryan Stevens, 2018

 

$75

Product Status: 
Sold
Zebra by Gabino Reyes Lopez
SKU: GRL-01

Zebra
Gabino Reyes Lopez - La Union Tejalapan, Oaxaca, Mexico, c.1995.
Wood painted with acrylic paints.
(2" w. x 8 1/2" d. x 4 3/4" h.)

$68

Product Status: 
Sold
Spotted Frog from Oaxaca
SKU: JBLS-01

Spotted Frog
José Blas R. - Oaxaca, Mexico
Wood painted with acrylic paints
(4 1/2" w. x 5 3/4" d. x 3" h.)

$58

Product Status: 
Sold
Woman with Animals
SKU: ATZPA-1801

Blanco Family, Santa Maria Atzompa, Oaxaca, Mexico, c.1970's.
Fired clay figure.
(7” h. x  4.5” w. x 3.5” d.)

$58

Product Status: 
Sold
La Sirena
SKU: ATZPA-1802

Blanco Family, Santa Maria Atzompa, Oaxaca, Mexico, c.1970's.
Fired clay figure.
(7.5” h. x  6” w. x 3” d.)

$58

Product Status: 
Sold
Articulated Tin Skeleton from Mexico
SKU: ORN-52

Tin and wire).
 (21"h. x 4 1/2 " w.)

$38

Product Status: 
Sold
Holstein Cow from Oaxaca
SKU: JSOR-01

Cow
Josue Ortocha  - Oaxaca, Mexico
Wood painted with acrylic paints
(1 3/4" w. x 5" d. x 4" h.)

$36

Product Status: 
Sold
Dos Diablos Nicho (Two Devils)
SKU: MXMN-003

Mexico
Painted clay devil figures in wood box with sequins, etc.
(4" h. x 3" w. x 2" d.)
Exact designs vary.

$19

Product Status: 
Sold
Devil Ornament
SKU: ORN-48

Izucar de Matamoros, Mexico
Painted clay (3 1/4"h. w x 2" w. x 2" d. to 5" h.)
He-devil.

$15

Product Status: 
Sold
Angel Ornament
SKU: ORN-49

Izucar de Matamoros, Mexico
Painted clay (3 1/4"h. w x 2" w. x 2" d. to 5" h.)
 

$15

Product Status: 
Sold