Latin America, Mexico, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. An excellent pair of masks in the form of male faces skillfully hand-carved from dark brown wood. The larger mask presents an elongated visage with facial details delineated in black pigment, such as a beard, moustache, eyelashes, eyebrows, and a bushy coiffure, as well as a prominent, carved nose and red-painted lips held closed. Alternatively, the smaller vizard exhibits only carved details, such as a narrowed brow, a slender nose with a high nasal bridge, a wavy coiffure, and a lengthy, ribbed moustache. Both masks feature openwork eyes and annular drill holes at their peripheries. Size (of largest): 5.8" W x 9.7" H (14.7 cm x 24.6 cm)
Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-private lifetime collection of Dr. Saul Tuttman, New York, New York, USA, acquired in the 1980s
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#166952
Condition
Collection numbers inscribed on verso of both. Larger has perforations on tip of beard. Both have expected surface wear with nicks and abrasions, commensurate with age. Otherwise, both are intact and excellent with nice patina.