Today we are going to look at bird masks by Crisencio, beginning with a Rooster and a Hen that date to 2004. Here is the Rooster.
There is no forehead cross and no place for a cross.
This mask is 11 inches tall, 5¼ inches wide, and 6 inches deep.
The comb has some damage.
Here is the hen.
As with the rooster, this mask has no place for a forehead cross.
This mask is 8 inches tall, 5½ inches wide, and 3½ inches deep.
This is my tag. I usually remove the tag to provide a cleaner view of the back.
Next is a colorful Parrot Pascola mask
There is no forehead cross, but there is an interesting feathered crest carved in relief on the brow.
There are many colors.
One finds no sign of a chin cross.
This mask is 8 inches tall, 5½ inches wide, and 4¼ inches deep.
The back is typical for this carver, and unstained from use.
One might think that the next mask portrays an eagle, but the tag states that this is another parrot.
This one has a forehead cross.
This is a dramatic profile.
This parrot has a forehead cross.
This mask is 7 inches tall, 5½ inches wide, and 3¾ inches deep.
The back meets Crisencio’s usual standard.
This large wood duck dates to 2006.
It has no forehead cross.
The wood has split in the middle of the forehead. Occasionally Crisencio carved with wood that had not been given enough time to cure. Maybe that was the cause of this split. Such splits are rare for his masks.
There are no crosses.
This mask is 8 inches tall, 5½ inches wide, and 5¼ inches deep.
The back is unstained.
Now we will compare two more ducks. The smaller one dates to 2008 while the larger one with the bright yellow bill was carved in 2010.
When Tom Kolaz purchased the larger mask from Crisencio in 2010, Crisencio informed Tom that this mask depicts a duck that lives in the trees along the banks of the Rio Yaqui.
There is no forehead cross on this larger duck. The rim design depicts feathers.
This mask is 8¼ inches tall, 5½ inches wide, and 3 inches deep.
The back is unstained.
Te smaller duck follows.
The smaller duck does have a forehead cross.
Slits under the eyes, which are very difficult to see, permit vision for the wearer.
This duck has a typical forehead cross for this carver, and a scalloped rim.
There is a silly expression.
This mask is 7½ inches tall, 5½ inches wide, and 3 inches deep.
We see the usual back.
Next week I will show children’s masks by Crisencio.