Older Yare Diablo mask

Festival of Corpus Christi, Venezuela

19 inches wide, painted papier mache

Worn by the Devils of Yare, a fraternal organization of Venezuelans of African decent. During the processional the masked Devil Dancers attempt to attack the Holy Eucharist but are thwarted, symbolizing the struggle between good and evil. This one, with a pair of horns and huge ears, is the most common type used by the Yare dancers. The old label inside reads "Artesania, El Mocho M.S. Sanoja, San Fco de Yare, Edo. Miranda, Venezuela." Though South American, the Yare people are culturally more closely related to the Afro-Caribbeans.

$245