Celaya, Guanajuato, Mexico,
Mid-20th century.
Molded papier maché mask.  Made on traditional clay mask mold.
(8 1/4” h. x 5 3/4” w. x 3” 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

Decorative mask by unknown artist - Guerrero, Mexico,
late 20th century
oil lacquer paint, plaster on coconut shell
(4.24" H x 4.25" W x 2" D. )
From private collection, purchased c.1990.
Note: some wear and chipping to be expected.

Diablo mask.
Veracruz, Mexico. Mid-20th century.
Acrylic paint on carved wood (9.5” h. x 12.75” w. x 5.75” d.)
Provenance: from the Katharyn and Gordon Rayner Collection of Mexican Masks, Canada. Purchased from the collection of Jaled Muyaes, Mexico City, c.1990.

Igbo people, Nigeria, early to mid-20th century.
Wood w/ organic patina (13" h. x 9" w. x 6 3/4" d.).

Ex. collection of Jonathan W. Fisher
Purchased c. 1970. 

Note:  Mask has been extensively used.  Mask is in found condition with erosion of face on sides and some repairs, as shown in photos.

Puebla (?), Mexico, mid-20th century wood, oil paint (8.25” h. x 6.5” w. x 4.75” d.) Provenance: from the Katharyn and Gordon Rayner Collection of Mexican Masks, Canada. Purchased from the collection of Jaled Muyaes, Mexico City, c.1990.

Spotted Animal (cat or hyena) mask.
State undetermined, Mexico. Mid-20th century.
wood, oil paint, (13” h. x 7.75” w. x 6.5” d.)
Provenance: from the Katharyn and Gordon Rayner Collection of Mexican Masks, Canada. Purchased from the collection of Jaled Muyaes, Mexico City, c.1990.