Aztec Style Owl Mask - Mexico

Aztec Style Owl Mask - 16" H - Mexico

As early as 3000 BC the ancient Mayans used masks in ceremonies and in battle. Warriors would don the masks to invoke the power of the gods and were used in sacrificial worship. Throughout Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula Artists continue the tradition of creating masks even today.

The Spanish conquistadors and missionaries borrowed from this tradition; constructing elaborate and awe-inspiring masks to create dramatic presentations of the Christian faith. As Christianity spread, the two cultures fused and the folk art of the masks reflect the change.

The traditional use of these masks declined within the last century, and many of the ceremonial masks were lost to the climate and to disuse. However folk artists have stepped forward to continue the tradition, creating masks of wood, clay, bone and wax for the collector market. Today’s collector of Mexican masks recognize the traditional elements and enjoy the masks for their beauty, craftsmanship, cultural importance and their mystique.

Many masks combine human and animal features to create a fascinating fusion of both. Bats, jaguars, birds, snakes and lizards are can commonly be identified in the mask. Some cover the human face while in others it is difficult to discern where the human face ends and the animal one begins. The vintage artist may use a variety of media to create these masks, often determined by local availability. Carved wood and clay are the most common media.