(4) Mexican Masks, Straw and Wooden

(4) masks, straw and wooden: a) pair of Mexican woven straw masks in traditional style, likely for commercial consumption, with full grass beards, mustaches, long eyebrows and tufts of hair. Shaped nose and gap for eyes and mouth; b) medium colored, lightweight raw wood with large eye sockets, exaggerated nostrils, and wide mouth with a top row of teeth. Incised striations in the wood seem to resemble fur and the mask has two horns and pointed ears at its crown; c) smooth, polished dark wood with narrow eye sockets; very long, attached ears, three teeth in a semicircular mouth and a flat crest and chin.

Dimensions are: a) 13 3/4 in (34.9 cm) tall X 7 3/4 in (19.6 cm) wide X 4 1/2 in (11.4 cm) deep; b) is 9 1/4 in (23.4 cm) tall X 7 1/2 in (19.1 cm) wide X 2 1/4 in (5.7 cm) deep; c) 20 in (50.8 cm) including hair and beard X 9 1/2 in (24.13 cm) including width of eyebrows and beard. All measurements are approximate.

Condition: Some loss of grass around brows or top tufts; one of pair has lost the twisted strap on back for hanging (included, but detached).

Provenance: From a Washington, DC collection.