Bobo people, Burkina Faso. 20th century.
Wood w/ mineral pigments.
(17 3/4" h. x 64” w. x 9 1/2” d.).

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

Igbo people, Nigeria
wood w/ mineral pigments, oil paint
(18 1/2" h. x 8 3/4" w. x 13" d.)

Includes Custom Stand

Angola
Wood w/ mineral & organic pigments (10” h. x 7” w. x 5” d.)

Ex. collection of Jonathan Fisher
ex. collection of Ralph Fisher
Purchased from Herbert F. Rieser gallery, London, 11/3/1965.  

Chihongo represents a male spirit and refers to wealth and power. This mask would have only have been worn by a high-ranking member of society or his sons during festivities, especially during the proceedings of the mukanda, or male initiation. Chihongo is a royal character, and the exuberant arched headpiece with feathers that would have originally have been attached to the mask referenced a type worn by high chiefs. The disk-shaped element protruding from the chin recalls the beard worn by chiefs. Symbolizing the male principles of power, social status, accomplishment, and strength, Chihongo complements Mwana Pwo, or Pwewo, the model for female beauty. (Yale University Art Gallery).

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.

"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

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.)

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.)

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.)

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.)

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.)

Huichol people, Nayarit, Mexico, c. 1980's
Beads pressed into beeswax on wood mask
(8" w. x 2" d. x 13 1/2" h.)

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.)

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

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

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

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.
 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Dance of Diablado
Bolivia, late-20th cent.
Unpainted tin from recycled alcohol cans
(14 1/2" w. x 12" d. x 15" h.)

According to myth there was once an Andean bear. The origin of the mask could be credited to both the indigenous people, europeans or even the Chinese. The bear appears as a figure in many of the street dances, including the Carnaval and Gran Poder during summer solstice. the entire costume has an aura of humor as then participants must wear a body suit made of fake fur to make themselves look beasty.

Dance of Diablado
Bolivia, late-20th cent.
Unpainted tin from recycled alcohol cans
11" w. x 14" d. x 15 1/2" h.)

The condor has always been a symbol of great power as the master of the sky (though it is more a reminder of past glory of the Andean culture, as they are now rarely seen ). The condor attacking and winning over the bull is the image re-enacted frequently.

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.)

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.

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).

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).

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).

Abelam people, Abelam area, Papua New Guinea, late 20th cent.
Woven fiber, organic pigments
(19 1/2" h. x 10 3/4" w. x 6" d.)

Didier Civile (Jacmel, Haiti)
Papier Maché
(16 1/2" h. x 17" w. x 7 1/2" d.)
c.2007

Exhibited at Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center, Millville, New Jersey (July to Decenber, 2016) for exhibit:  Shades of Past, Colors of Present:  Preserving Caribbean Cultural Heritage in New Jersey.

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.

by Luis Carrillo Felix, Huichol people, Nayarit, Mexico, c. 2005
Yarn pressed into beeswax on wood mask
(5 3/4" w. x 1" d. x 8 3/4" h.)

Recycled steel from automobiles.  (16.5" x 10" x 3.5").
Exact colors will vary depending on the original car!

Nageshwar Dhanalkota & Family, Cheriyal, India, c. 2007
Papier maché with mineral paints, shellac
(6 1/2" h. x 6 1/2" w. x 3 1/2" d.)

Nageshwar Dhanalkota & Family, Cheriyal, India, c. 2007
Papier maché with mineral paints, shellac
(6" h. x 5 1/2" w. x 3" d.)