Jaguar Warrior Mask

San Luis Potosí

9 inches, painted wood, canvas hat

In Mexico, it is common during Semana Santa (Holy Week, the period from Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday) for there to be Easter pagents, depicting the capture and crucifixion of Christ. Those who pursue and torment Jesus are called by various names, depending on the town or region. In the state of San Luis Potosí these negative legions are called Judios (Juduses) or Fariseos (Pharisees). They demonstrate ignorent, unruly and evil behavior, led by their mentor- Judus. The masks are varied and inventive, and include skulls, monsters, Kings and Queens, soldiers, Bishops, animals, fallen women or caricatures of ordinary people. Reference- see Barbara Mauldin’s book, Masks of Mexico, p. 38.

This mask is particularly interesting because it is modeled on a pre-conquest form- the Jaguar knight; armies went into battle wearing helmets of wild animals, to make themselves look fierce. It has been fashionable in the 1900s ^{to use such forms. This is in sharp contrast to the decorative masks from Guerrero state, where various animal helpers have been carved on the periphery of the mask in an attempt to make the masks look more exotic. Here a human face peers out from beneath a very well carved jaguar helmet. White paint has been slathered on the human face, the rest of the mask still has its old and worn black paint. As is common in San Luis Potosí, an old hat has been attached to the mask with tacks.}

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