Ethnographic, Viejo Mask, Los Tejorones Dance, Oaxaca MX, by Miguel Sosa, ca1960

Description

Vintage, ca1960s, Ethnographic folk-art, Used/Danced, Mexican Mask
This is a Viejo mask from the Mixtec town of Pinotepa de Don Luis, in the Mexican State of Oaxaca.
The dance is the Los Tejorones.
The same mask, with a set of deer horns nailed to the forehead, would portray a Diablo.
The master carver was Miguel Sosa, who is deceased. (He was the major carver of the area in the 1950s-60s)
The Viejos and Diablos are essentially clowns or Feos (uglies), characters who depict bawdy or otherwise inappropriate behavior during Carnaval.
Evidenced by the patina around the chin and inner nose areas
There are also 4 holes for twine noting that this mask was once hold on tight to the head of a performer
There is also more than one layer of paint, demonstrating that this item was used more than once.
Appears the character is meant to have beard (by way of sheep fur). Rusted nails on the china area suggest this once had a full beard.
Given the beard, its more than likely referencing the Spanish that conquered the area hundreds of years ago.
A rare, used, authentic ethnographic piece!
Smaller (adolescent size: 6-1/4" High x 5-3/4" Wide)
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