Last week I provided an introduction to the Mojíca masks found in Veracruz. This week I will show further examples of these female clown masks.
I purchased the first of these Mojíca masks on EBay™ in 2005. It had been repainted badly and the most recent paint was separating from an earlier coat, but I liked the quality of the carving. I was able to gently flake off the loose paint. This then became one of my favorite masks, because the sculpting of the face is so dynamic. This complexity of facial planes is only found on some of these masks, perhaps all by the same carver? I wish I knew more.
A picture is worth a thousand words!
I have only seen this remarkable sculpting, which makes one think of “cubism,” on Mojíca masks.
This mask is 7¼ inches tall, 5¾ inches wide, and 4½ inches deep.
The back demonstrates obvious wear.
The second Mojíca mask is very unusual, as it depicts Malinche as a monkey, continuing and extending the theme of denigrating that character for her alleged betrayal of the Indians of the Americas. Obviously Malinche has become a symbolic figure. I bought this mask from René Bustamante in 1995. It was found in Tolima, Veracruz.
This monkey is depicted with a snotty nose! The mask has the usual forehead staple.
This mask is 8¼ inches tall, 6½ inches wide, and 4 inches deep.
The back has normal wear.
Here I will interrupt this series of Mojícas to insert a worthy dance partner for the Monkey Malinche. I bought this mask from René Bustamante in 1996. He said that it was a Meco from the dance of the Conquest, from Tetelpa, Veracruz. I am calling him Hernán Cortez. He has similar ears to the last mask, typical Mojíca style vision slits, and a turned-up nose.
This mask has the tiny teeth and the staple on top that are typical of these Conquest masks.
The Cortéz mask is 10 inches tall, 6½ inches wide, and 4 inches deep.
The back view reveals old repairs that fill gaps in the teeth, a split chin, and significant staining from use.
One could say that the next of these Mojícas is more simply carved, compared to the first two, but it has remarkable deeply carved dimples around the mouth. I bought this from the Craft and Folk Museum in Los Angeles, in 1995 (that museum later closed).
Here is another variable feature, painted blush marks on the cheeks.
This mask is 8 inches tall, 7½ inches wide, and 4 inches deep.
The back is worn and has the usual contour found on most Mojíca masks.
The fourth female mask in this series blends a number of the features from the previous masks. There are tiny dimples, small finely carved teeth, and dramatically carved eye sockets. This mask has a manic expression! This is another that I bought from René Bustamante, this one in 1996. It was said to be from Zacapoala, Veracruz.
From the side, this is a very satisfying mask, in terms of the intensity of its expression.
This mask is 7½ inches tall, 7¾ inches wide, and 4 inches deep.
The back has the usual contour.
Next week I will show one more group of Mojíca masks.