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.

antique19c-carved-wood-spanish-sun-moon-angel-mask-icon ANTIQUE19c CARVED WOOD SPANISH SUN MOON ANGEL MASK ICON
US $99.88 (0 Bid)
End Date: Monday Oct-13-2008 18:03:02 PDT
mexican-mask-devil-w -curved-red-horns-unusual-folk-art Mexican Mask Devil w/ Curved Red Horns Unusual Folk Art
US $26.00 (2 Bids)
End Date: Monday Oct-13-2008 19:35:04 PDT
mexican-mask-from-costa-maya Mexican Mask from Costa Maya
US $29.00 (8 Bids)
End Date: Monday Oct-13-2008 20:08:15 PDT
vintage-carved-mexican-cat-jaguar-mask-teeth-boar-hair VINTAGE CARVED MEXICAN CAT JAGUAR MASK TEETH BOAR HAIR
US $125.00 (0 Bid)
End Date: Monday Oct-13-2008 23:14:17 PDT
vintage-man-face-mexican-dance-mask-hand-carved-wood- Vintage Man Face Mexican Dance Mask Hand Carved Wood
US $24.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Tuesday Oct-14-2008 10:28:28 PDT
stone-carved-wall-mask-mexican-face-terra-cotta-11--art STONE CARVED WALL MASK MEXICAN FACE TERRA COTTA 11" ART
US $0.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Tuesday Oct-14-2008 14:14:34 PDT
mexican-paper-mache-halloween-mask-folk-art-mexico- MEXICAN PAPER MACHE HALLOWEEN MASK FOLK ART MEXICO
US $14.95 (0 Bid)
End Date: Tuesday Oct-14-2008 14:49:37 PDT
mexican-folk-art-pottery-handpainted-mask-wall--decor MEXICAN FOLK ART POTTERY,HANDPAINTED MASK,WALL DECOR
US $19.00 (0 Bid)
End Date: Tuesday Oct-14-2008 16:37:01 PDT
mexican-talavera-sun-face-mask-wall-plaque-folk-art Mexican Talavera Sun Face Mask Wall Plaque Folk Art
US $18.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Tuesday Oct-14-2008 19:08:03 PDT
stone-carved-wall-mask-mexican-face-grey-taupe-12--art STONE CARVED WALL MASK MEXICAN FACE GREY TAUPE 12" ART
US $0.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Tuesday Oct-14-2008 20:06:40 PDT
vintage-mexican-metal-ware-mask-wall-hanging Vintage Mexican Metal ware Mask Wall Hanging
US $8.99 (1 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Oct-15-2008 0:10:16 PDT
cantinflas--jorge-lopez--el-santo--mil-mascaras-style- CANTINFLAS, JORGE LOPEZ, EL SANTO, MIL MASCARAS STYLE
US $13.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Oct-15-2008 7:50:12 PDT
mexican-hand-carved-pharasy-mask Mexican hand carved pharasy mask
US $45.00 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Oct-15-2008 14:37:43 PDT
mexican-handmade-glass-mask-candle-holder MEXICAN HANDMADE GLASS MASK CANDLE HOLDER
US $17.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Oct-15-2008 16:07:34 PDT
mexican-handmade-glass-mask candle-holder MEXICAN HANDMADE GLASS MASK/CANDLE HOLDER
US $17.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Oct-15-2008 16:07:35 PDT
mexican-handmade-glass-mask candle-holder MEXICAN HANDMADE GLASS MASK/CANDLE HOLDER
US $17.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Oct-15-2008 16:07:36 PDT
mexican-handmade-glass-mask-candle-holder MEXICAN HANDMADE GLASS MASK CANDLE HOLDER
US $17.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Oct-15-2008 16:07:37 PDT
original-yaqui-indian-pascola-dance-mask Original Yaqui Indian Pascola Dance Mask
US $69.00 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Oct-15-2008 17:21:48 PDT
exceptional-yaqui-indian-jaguar-dance-mask Exceptional Yaqui Indian Jaguar Dance Mask
US $99.00 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Oct-15-2008 17:26:17 PDT
very-colorful-mayan-or-incan-devil-s-mask- Very Colorful Mayan or Incan Devil's Mask
US $18.28 (4 Bids)
End Date: Wednesday Oct-15-2008 17:27:44 PDT
authentic-used-yaqui-indian-pascola-mask Authentic Used Yaqui Indian Pascola Mask
US $369.00 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Oct-15-2008 17:32:41 PDT
old-demon- -devil-wood-dance-mask-central-south-america OLD DEMON / DEVIL WOOD DANCE MASK CENTRAL-SOUTH AMERICA
US $24.95 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Oct-15-2008 19:04:14 PDT
old-eagle-mask-alaska--north--central-or-south-america? OLD EAGLE MASK ALASKA, NORTH, CENTRAL OR SOUTH AMERICA?
US $24.99 (1 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Oct-15-2008 19:11:07 PDT
vintage-old-man-mexican-mask-antique-halloween-mache- Vintage Old Man Mexican Mask Antique Halloween Mache
US $9.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Oct-15-2008 19:20:00 PDT
**unique**-wood-hand-carved-mask-hand-painted-mexican **Unique** Wood Hand Carved Mask Hand Painted Mexican
US $6.95 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Oct-15-2008 20:01:16 PDT