Authentic Mexican Masks - Tigers, Devils & Cultural Dance Masks for Festivals & Home Decor | Handcrafted Folk Art from Mexico
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SKU:94012234
Product Description
This is a state-by-state guide for collectors and general folk art enthusiasts to learn about the types of masked dances still carried out in Mexico's Indian and mestizo communities today. Close to one hundred color photographs of authenticated masks from the collection of the Museum of International Folk Art are presented, including finely carved pieces from the nineteenth century to simple face coverings made in the past ten years. The masked ceremonies are brought to life with documentary photographs showing masqueraders acting out their roles.
Customer Reviews
A scholarly, thoroughly enjoyable book, which should be a "must buy" for a serious collector of Mexican masks or the enthusiast interested in learning more about the Mexican mask tradition. All masks are from the collection of the Museum of International Folk Art, housed in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Chapters within the book, organize masks by region and state (rather than use), with accompanying details for each mask about its ritual use and other pertinent information. The overall quality and selection of masks included is outstanding: for many regions there is enough of a selection to enable one to begin to identify certain design elements or materials peculiar to a region.The book includes many documentary photographs showing the actual mask in use with the accompanying full costume of the dancer, attesting to the mask's authenticity, as compared with the many decorative masks made solely to cater to the tourist trade. The book includes a helpful Introduction, containing a map showing all Mexican states where mask-making is popular, as well as a discussion of pre-Hispanic and Spanish colonial festivals/traditions, a good starting point for the novice. A useful annotated bibliography is also included. The photographic and print quality is excellent. Thoroughly enjoyable. Given the limited amount of reference quality books on Mexican masks in English editions, this is an excellent starting point for the reader (along with Another Face of Mexico, the hard cover large, high quality museum catalog sometimes available online or through the museum of the same name in San Miguel de Allende).I was fortunate to obtain an unopened "used- like new" hard cover for $60. One other hard cover edition of this quality/price is currently available, after that, available copies are of lesser quality, with prices quickly spiraling up to $360+ and nearly $1,700. Luckily, a very reasonably priced ($16-$20) paperback is also available.
