Mexican Tastoan Carved Wood Dance Mask with Horsehair and "Pink Floyd"

Latin America, Mexico, Jalisco, Tastoanes dance tradition. A painted wooden Tastoan dance mask with a long, curled nose projecting over an open mouth with carved teeth and a red tongue. The face is divided vertically, with one side painted red and the other cobalt blue. The blue side carries cream line drawings, including a human figure across the cheek, and “PINK FLOYD” painted vertically in black capitals outlined in white. Red, white, and green stripes run along the nose and up the brow. The mask is attached to the crown of a straw hat with the brim cut away, and a long fall of dark horsehair hangs from the crown. Tastoan masks are worn in dances portraying battles against Santiago. The Danza de los Tastoanes is performed in towns around Guadalajara, Jalisco, including Tonala, San Juan de Ocotan, and Santa Ana Tepetitlan, most famously around the feast of Santiago (Saint James) in late July. The dance re-enacts the Spanish conquest of the region. Masked Tastoanes, whose name is commonly traced to the Nahuatl tlatoani ("ruler" or "speaker"), stand for the indigenous lords who confront Santiago, the mounted apostle. The masks are meant to look grotesque and otherworldly. They have exaggerated noses, bared teeth, and long manes of horsehair, and they are often built over a hat so they stay on through vigorous dancing. Makers have always worked freely. National flags, cartoon characters, slogans, and rock-band names show up next to traditional motifs, so each mask also records its own moment. Item # 203724

Estimate:$300

View all items fromArtemis Fine ArtsorEthnographic