![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mexicandancemasks.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/P1340982.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThe rim design is painted but not inscribed. This style, a row of connected triangles accented with dots, is apparently one of\u00a0 Francisco’s favorites.<\/p>\n
The forehead cross on Francisco’s masks is usually outlined by inscribed lines as in this case, or recessed (gouged) and rarely simply painted.<\/p>\n According to Tom Kolaz, there was a limited period of time when Francisco carved his masks with these dramatic fangs.<\/p>\n The rim design continues around the chin.<\/p>\n This mask is 7 inches tall, 5\u00bc inches wide, and 3 inches deep.<\/p>\n This mask was only briefly danced.<\/p>\n The second mask is in the Apache style, with the face of a North American Indian in war paint. This one was purchased in California in the 1980s, and I bought it on EBay in 2005.<\/p>\n This mask and the next three all have extended tongues.<\/p>\n The rim design shows up again as face paint.<\/p>\n There is the usual forehead cross, outlined by inscribed lines.<\/p>\n This mask is 6\u00bd inches tall, 5 inches wide, and 3 inches deep.<\/p>\n There is only mild staining from use.<\/p>\n The third mask has an unusual tongue. I bought this mask from Tom Kolaz in 2007. He had bought it from a Moro (Pascola dance manager), who had obtained this mask for use in a fiesta, but sold it to Tom prior to actual use.<\/p>\n This mask is typical of Francisco’s style.<\/p>\n The forehead cross is outlined with inscribed lines.<\/p>\n This tongue was only carved in low relief.<\/p>\n This mask is 7 inches tall, 5\u00be inches wide, and 3 inches deep.<\/p>\n This is my handwriting, noting the carver’s name and my date of acquisition (2007). There is no staining from use.<\/p>\n The last two masks had prominent tongues, and this tongue is magnificent. Tom collected this mask from a dancer in 1989.<\/p>\n There are just two front teeth on the upper jaw.<\/p>\n The tongue is really terrific.<\/p>\n This mask is 7\u00be inches tall, 5\u00bc inches wide, and 2\u00be inches deep.<\/p>\n This mask has a little more staining from use than the others.<\/p>\n The last of this group, which came to me without provenance, also has an extended tongue.<\/p>\n By now we have seen a number of other masks by Francisco in this style, and apparently dating from the mid-1980s.<\/p>\n All of the decoration was painted freehand, without inscribed outlines.<\/p>\n The most consistent feature of Francisco’s masks is the nose\u2014seen one, seen them all.<\/p>\n This mask is 7\u00bc inches tall, 5\u00bc inches wide, and 3\u00bc inches deep.<\/p>\n The staining from use is mild. Someone carefully wrote an unusually detailed account of the provenance on the back.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Next week we will examine a pair of Rio Mayo Pascola masks that have relief carved snakes on their faces.<\/p>\n Bryan Stevens<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Today I will show you more masks by Francisco G\u00e1mez that are in my collection. The first mask, which I purchased from my friend Tom Kolaz in July of 1998, has the fangs of a Vampire. This mask had apparently … Read More <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n