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.

mistress-of-cortez-dance-mask-puebla-folk-art Mistress of Cortez Dance Mask Puebla Folk art
US $50.00 (0 Bid)
End Date: Saturday Jan-28-2012 6:57:11 PST
rare-carved-jaguar-cheetah-leopard-cat-masks-lot-with-bristles-and-teeth- RARE Carved Jaguar-Cheetah-Leopard Cat Masks Lot with Bristles and Teeth
US $10.00 (1 Bid)
End Date: Saturday Jan-28-2012 8:25:32 PST
rare-carved-jaguar-cheetah-tiger-cat-masks-lot- RARE Carved Jaguar-Cheetah-Tiger Cat Masks Lot
US $10.00 (1 Bid)
End Date: Saturday Jan-28-2012 8:31:33 PST
hand-carved-antique-old-wood-mexican--folk-art-mask Hand Carved Antique Old Wood Mexican Folk Art Mask
US $29.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Saturday Jan-28-2012 10:56:32 PST
jaguar-w fangs-wall-ornament-mask-mexican-folk-art Jaguar w/Fangs Wall Ornament Mask - Mexican Folk Art
US $34.95
End Date: Saturday Jan-28-2012 11:25:25 PST
mexican-mask-terra-cotta-- Mexican Mask (Terra-Cotta)
US $40.00 (0 Bid)
End Date: Saturday Jan-28-2012 12:55:44 PST
mexican-pottery--clay-mask MEXICAN POTTERY CLAY MASK
US $9.95 (0 Bid)
End Date: Saturday Jan-28-2012 12:59:29 PST
mexican-pottery-clay-mask MEXICAN POTTERY CLAY MASK
US $8.95 (0 Bid)
End Date: Saturday Jan-28-2012 14:34:04 PST
hand-crafted-coconut--fruit--masks-brilliant-colors!-{set-of-5} Hand Crafted Coconut "Fruit" Masks - Brilliant Colors! {Set of 5}
US $49.00
End Date: Saturday Jan-28-2012 15:37:10 PST
mexican-pottery-masks Mexican Pottery Masks
US $35.00 (0 Bid)
End Date: Saturday Jan-28-2012 17:17:19 PST
mask-maya-mayan-aztec-stone-pre-columbian-hand-carved-mexico-central-america- Mask Maya Mayan Aztec Stone Pre-Columbian Hand Carved Mexico Central America
US $19.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Saturday Jan-28-2012 20:16:48 PST
mask-2-maya-mayan-aztec-stone-pre-columbian-hand-carved-mexico-central-america- Mask 2 Maya Mayan Aztec Stone Pre-Columbian Hand Carved Mexico Central America
US $19.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Saturday Jan-28-2012 20:23:12 PST
vintage-mexican-aztec-abalone-9--mask-w ivory-&-jade-color-stone~gorgeous-&-mint VINTAGE MEXICAN AZTEC ABALONE 9" MASK w/IVORY & JADE COLOR STONE~GORGEOUS & MINT
US $24.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Saturday Jan-28-2012 20:29:26 PST
mask-maya-mayan-aztec-stone-solid-black-marble-maskette-teotihuacan-burial Mask Maya Mayan Aztec Stone Solid Black Marble Maskette Teotihuacan Burial
US $19.99 (1 Bid)
End Date: Saturday Jan-28-2012 20:32:59 PST
mask-maya-mayan-aztec-stone-abalone-malachite-turquoise-onyx-burial-mexico Mask Maya Mayan Aztec Stone Abalone Malachite Turquoise Onyx burial Mexico
US $24.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Saturday Jan-28-2012 20:44:43 PST
mask-maya-mayan-aztec-stone-abalone-onyx-quartz-burial-mexico Mask Maya Mayan Aztec Stone Abalone Onyx Quartz burial Mexico
US $24.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Saturday Jan-28-2012 20:47:32 PST
mayan-mask-apocalypto-handpainted-mayan-indian-wood-mask MAYAN MASK APOCALYPTO HANDPAINTED MAYAN INDIAN WOOD MASK
US $99.00
End Date: Saturday Jan-28-2012 21:27:42 PST
mayan-stone-masks--2-malachite--1-jet--1-chocolate-jade Mayan stone masks--2 Malachite, 1 Jet, 1 chocolate jade
US $4,500.00
End Date: Sunday Jan-29-2012 4:51:29 PST
mexican-folk-art-wood-mask-lizard Mexican Folk Art Wood Mask - Lizard
US $65.00 (0 Bid)
End Date: Sunday Jan-29-2012 5:12:45 PST
mexican-folk-art-wood-mask-donkey Mexican Folk Art Wood Mask - Donkey
US $65.00 (0 Bid)
End Date: Sunday Jan-29-2012 5:14:15 PST
mexican-folk-art-wood-mask-salamander Mexican Folk Art Wood Mask - Salamander
US $50.00 (0 Bid)
End Date: Sunday Jan-29-2012 5:15:25 PST
mexican-folk-art-wood-mask-frog Mexican Folk Art Wood Mask - Frog
US $60.00 (0 Bid)
End Date: Sunday Jan-29-2012 5:16:40 PST
mexican-folk-art-wood-mask-rabbit Mexican Folk Art Wood Mask - Rabbit
US $50.00 (0 Bid)
End Date: Sunday Jan-29-2012 5:18:12 PST
mexican-folk-art-wood-mask-zebra Mexican Folk Art Wood Mask - Zebra
US $50.00 (0 Bid)
End Date: Sunday Jan-29-2012 5:19:31 PST
mexican-folk-art-wood-mask-fish Mexican Folk Art Wood Mask - Fish
US $55.00 (0 Bid)
End Date: Sunday Jan-29-2012 5:20:35 PST