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.

mayo-pascola-wood-mexico-mask-native-indian-folk-art- Mayo Pascola Wood Mexico Mask Native Indian Folk Art
US $59.00
End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 14:05:00 PST
wooden-carved-mexican caribbean-mask Wooden Carved Mexican/Caribbean Mask
US $10.00 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 15:24:09 PST
old-mexican-hand-carved-wood-cat-figure-dance-mask-nr OLD MEXICAN HAND CARVED WOOD CAT FIGURE DANCE MASK NR
US $63.66 (6 Bids)
End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 18:03:06 PST
incredible-oaxica-mexico-black-pottery-mask Incredible Oaxica Mexico Black Pottery Mask
US $24.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 19:07:49 PST
vtg-mexican-folk-art-skull-mask-w-mini-animal-demon- vtg Mexican Folk Art Skull Mask w mini animal demon
US $24.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 20:00:14 PST
vintage-folk-art-skull-skeleton-mask-face Vintage Folk Art Skull Skeleton Mask Face
US $19.95
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 6:11:18 PST
vintage-16--all-tin-mexican-indian-mask VINTAGE 16" ALL TIN MEXICAN INDIAN MASK
US $14.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 7:46:08 PST
mexican-handmade-glass-mask candle-holder MEXICAN HANDMADE GLASS MASK/CANDLE HOLDER
US $17.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 9:54:16 PST
mexican-handmade-glass-mask candle-holder MEXICAN HANDMADE GLASS MASK/CANDLE HOLDER
US $17.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 10:02:53 PST
mexican-handmade-glass-mask-candle-holder MEXICAN HANDMADE GLASS MASK CANDLE HOLDER
US $17.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 10:17:02 PST
large-clay-mask-wall-hanging~~from-guatemala Large Clay Mask Wall Hanging~~From Guatemala
US $3.90 (0 Bid)
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 11:16:20 PST
antique-red-demon-mexican-mask ANTIQUE RED DEMON MEXICAN MASK
US $199.00 (0 Bid)
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 13:44:58 PST
mexican-indian-boy-small-mask-w fish-headdress-folk-art Mexican Indian Boy Small Mask w/Fish Headdress Folk Art
US $22.95 (0 Bid)
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 15:36:51 PST
mexican-wood-double-devil-mask-5--goat-horn-folk-art Mexican Wood Double Devil Mask 5" Goat Horn Folk Art
US $36.95 (1 Bid)
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 15:39:19 PST
mexican-glass-mask-and-candle-holder-metal-stand MEXICAN GLASS MASK AND CANDLE HOLDER METAL STAND
US $26.50
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 18:51:31 PST
mexican-glass-mask-and-candle-holder-metal-stand MEXICAN GLASS MASK AND CANDLE HOLDER METAL STAND
US $26.50
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 18:55:40 PST
colorful-vintage?-carved-wood-primative-mask-unmarked Colorful Vintage? Carved Wood Primative Mask Unmarked
US $19.99
End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 19:44:53 PST
colorful-hand-painted-clay-mask-mexico-folk-art COLORFUL HAND PAINTED CLAY MASK , MEXICO FOLK ART
US $19.00 (0 Bid)
End Date: Friday Mar-12-2010 10:05:01 PST
bug-on-nose-mask--wood-mask-mexican-folk-art Bug on Nose Mask: Wood Mask Mexican Folk Art
US $26.21
End Date: Friday Mar-12-2010 14:00:46 PST
rare-hand-carved-quiroga-latin-american-voodoo-mask- RARE HAND CARVED QUIROGA LATIN AMERICAN VOODOO MASK
US $4.99
End Date: Friday Mar-12-2010 16:03:07 PST
vintage-clay-mask-from-venezuela-painted-signed Vintage Clay Mask From Venezuela Painted Signed
US $19.99
End Date: Friday Mar-12-2010 18:22:06 PST
mask-in-soap-stone-with-inlay-abalone-blue-color-used MASK IN SOAP STONE WITH INLAY ABALONE BLUE COLOR USED
US $10.00 (0 Bid)
End Date: Friday Mar-12-2010 19:39:46 PST
mexican-mayan-aztec-mask-gold-obsidian-carving-pendant MEXICAN MAYAN AZTEC MASK GOLD OBSIDIAN CARVING PENDANT
US $7.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Saturday Mar-13-2010 8:39:05 PST
mask-mexican-hand-crafted-turquoise-onyx-gem-stones-new MASK MEXICAN HAND CRAFTED TURQUOISE ONYX GEM STONES NEW
US $104.99
End Date: Saturday Mar-13-2010 13:39:14 PST
mask-mexican-hand-crafted-turquoise-onyx-gem-stones-new MASK MEXICAN HAND CRAFTED TURQUOISE ONYX GEM STONES NEW
US $119.99
End Date: Saturday Mar-13-2010 13:39:16 PST