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BreadcrumbsMasksBreadcrumbsMexicanos

Overseer
$675

Overseer
Cerrar
Product

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The Dance of the Mexicanos is a variation of the Serpent Dance, a fertility ritual banned by the Catholic Church because of its sexual orientation. The costumes used by the dancers have Mexican flags allover, because the serpent on the Mexican national emblem remembers, in a very diplomatic way, the Serpent Dance. The dancers wear “Charro” clothes, big silver guns and huge Mexican hats. Brunette skin, extraordinary thick sideburns, curly hair and wide moustache carvings portray the typical Mexican character. This specific character represents the Overseer or “Capataz”, his role during the dance is to keep the “Mexicanos” working. In that time, black men who earned freedom had a higher social status than Indigenous people; they were hired as Overseers. Green glass eyes are highlighted by delicate golden painted eyebrows. This mask used to be a “Conquistador”, but was painted black and converted into a Negrito to complete a missing character of the Dance by the Morería Owners. Patina on the back denotes use. Please notice that the price includes FREE USPS Shipping!

Map
Age: Approximately carved in the 1940’s.
Ethnic Group: K’iché
Origin: San Cristobal, Totonicapán
Materials: Wood
Use: Dance of the Mexicanos
Technique: hand carved at a Morería
Size: Approximately 9” x 5” x 7”
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