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Masks of Mexico and Guatemala

 

Xantolo Mask

Huasteca, Hidalgo

7.2 inches, painted wood

Xantolos are masked dancers who appear only for the Day of the Dead/All Souls celebrations each year. As is the case for many different dances throughout Mexico, the dancers perform in two parallel lines, moving to the music of fiddle and guitar.

Xantolos come in three styles- those with geometric scarification, simple human faces, and, in recent times, animals. Old worn masks are frequently converted to Xantolo use as well.

An example of the human-faced type, there are some cracks which appear to be stable. This  thin-walled mask is simply carved, well used, and painted in a unique color scheme of lemon yellow and battleship gray.

 

 

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