tin_mask_with_beard.JPGSomewhere deep in the collective consious of every culture lies a fascination with body alteration through the use of masks. Form highly carved wooden ceremonial masks from Africa to masks made of bronze used in Buddhist ceremonies , masks have tapped into the human imagination and have been an indispensible part of religious expression, the performing arts, and the battle field.

In pre-Columbian latin america the use of masks dates back some 3,500 years. Priests summoned the Gods by donning masks and they were used in sacrificial rituals. The “shock and awe” effect of the masks was used with great success by these ancient priests.

The introduction of the Spanish in the 1600’s saw the use of masks change in the hispanic culture. The Spanish used masks in the effort to spread Christianity, borrowing the powerful cultural icon for their use. The church used the masks in dramatic presentations of the stories of the bible and to intimidate the natives by portraying reenactments of battles.

In the last century the use of masks in ceremonies waned. A new phenomena occurred -the creation of masks for sale rather than for ceremony. Artisans practiced their craft in wood and bone portraying the mystery and beauty of the Mexican culture in masks. These artists leave their mark and their experiences on their work. A 16th century diablo mask may be re-interpreted by modern artists to resemble Darth Vador thus incorporating modern cultural experiences in an ancient media.

At Mexicanmasks.net we offer a variety of masks in many mediums for you, as well as other Latin American ethnographic items. By purchasing a mask for your collection you will be linking yourself to thousands of years of the hispanic experience through a unique, beautiful, mysterious decorative item. Click on a description of the mask to take you to the auction site to start your bidding and your collection.

hand-carved-wood-guatemala-mayan-indian-tecun-uman-mask HAND CARVED WOOD GUATEMALA MAYAN INDIAN TECUN UMAN MASK
US $74.00
End Date: Saturday Jul-04-2009 14:32:04 PDT
mexican-mask-stone-handmade-green-black-various-stones Mexican Mask Stone Handmade Green Black Various Stones
US $12.95 (1 Bid)
End Date: Sunday Jul-05-2009 10:14:22 PDT
mask-mexican-talavera-pottery--wall-decor-aztec MASK MEXICAN TALAVERA POTTERY WALL DECOR AZTEC
US $19.95
End Date: Sunday Jul-05-2009 16:04:05 PDT
1940-s-michoacan-hand-carved-wood-mexican-dance-mask-nr 1940's Michoacan Hand Carved Wood Mexican Dance Mask NR
US $26.00 (7 Bids)
End Date: Sunday Jul-05-2009 18:34:55 PDT
wooden-mask-skull--mermaid-neptuno-rare WOODEN MASK SKULL MERMAID NEPTUNO RARE
US $23.50 (0 Bid)
End Date: Sunday Jul-05-2009 20:55:10 PDT
old-vintage-oxala-mexico-many-beaded-tiger-mask-rare Old Vintage Oxala Mexico Many Beaded Tiger Mask Rare
US $13.27 (4 Bids)
End Date: Monday Jul-06-2009 7:00:00 PDT
3-great-vintage-mexican-masks 3 great vintage mexican masks
US $175.00
End Date: Monday Jul-06-2009 9:25:26 PDT
life-luck-success~~beadwork-mask~~huichol-art~~mexico LIFE LUCK SUCCESS~~BEADWORK MASK~~Huichol Art~~Mexico
US $97.15 (0 Bid)
End Date: Monday Jul-06-2009 10:03:46 PDT
two-mexican-red-clay-pottery-hand-painted-masks TWO MEXICAN RED CLAY POTTERY HAND PAINTED MASKS
US $9.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Monday Jul-06-2009 20:59:03 PDT
deer-&-scorpion~mexico-huichol-beaded-mask-art~new DEER & SCORPION~Mexico Huichol Beaded MASK ART~NEW
US $98.95 (0 Bid)
End Date: Tuesday Jul-07-2009 6:37:18 PDT
aztec-warrior-guard~mexican-ceramic-art-mask AZTEC WARRIOR GUARD~Mexican Ceramic ART MASK
US $49.95 (0 Bid)
End Date: Tuesday Jul-07-2009 10:36:03 PDT
mexican-20-coconut-mask-set-masks-wall-decor-folk-art mexican 20 COCONUT MASK SET masks wall decor folk art
US $85.00
End Date: Tuesday Jul-07-2009 11:07:36 PDT
11-small-colorful-mexican-mask 11 Small Colorful Mexican Mask
US $0.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Tuesday Jul-07-2009 14:36:57 PDT
3-mexico-mexican-coconut-masks-unique-vintage? 3 MEXICO MEXICAN COCONUT MASKS unique - vintage?
US $18.00 (2 Bids)
End Date: Tuesday Jul-07-2009 14:44:59 PDT
antique-mexican-mask-negrito-oaxaca-sierra-juarez-yqz Antique Mexican Mask Negrito Oaxaca Sierra Juarez yqz
US $61.99 (8 Bids)
End Date: Tuesday Jul-07-2009 19:36:00 PDT
2-pairs-of-men-s-and-women-s-mexican-folk-dance-masks (2) pairs of men's and women's Mexican folk-dance masks
US $9.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Tuesday Jul-07-2009 19:46:16 PDT
vintage-hand-painted-mexican-clay-art-mask Vintage Hand Painted Mexican Clay Art Mask
US $8.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Tuesday Jul-07-2009 20:28:57 PDT
vintage-hand-painted-mexican-clay-art-mask Vintage Hand Painted Mexican Clay Art Mask
US $8.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Tuesday Jul-07-2009 20:30:33 PDT
531-amazing-wooden-tiger-mask-mexican-rare-collector!! 531 AMAZING WOODEN TIGER MASK mexican RARE collector!!
US $0.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Jul-08-2009 6:59:53 PDT
mexican-handmade-glass-mask candle-holder MEXICAN HANDMADE GLASS MASK/CANDLE HOLDER
US $17.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Jul-08-2009 7:06:24 PDT
mexican-handmade-glass-mask-candle-holder MEXICAN HANDMADE GLASS MASK CANDLE HOLDER
US $17.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Jul-08-2009 7:06:26 PDT
yaqui-indian-pascola-dance-mask-mexico-folk-art- Yaqui Indian Pascola Dance Mask mexico folk art
US $0.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Jul-08-2009 13:02:10 PDT
yaqui-indian-pascola-dance-mask-mexico-folk-art-jaguar- Yaqui Indian Pascola Dance Mask mexico folk art jaguar
US $0.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Jul-08-2009 13:04:58 PDT
brown--mask--mexico-onyx-marble-abalone-new-low-price BROWN MASK MEXICO ONYX MARBLE ABALONE NEW LOW PRICE
US $37.50
End Date: Wednesday Jul-08-2009 15:05:02 PDT
purple--mask--mexico--onyx-marble-abalone-lower-price PURPLE MASK MEXICO ONYX MARBLE ABALONE LOWER PRICE
US $37.50
End Date: Wednesday Jul-08-2009 15:05:02 PDT