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Lot 316A
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Mexican Guerrero Copper Mask - Barbone w/ Flowers
Mexican Guerrero Copper Mask - Barbone w/ Flowers
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Latin America, Mexico, Guerrero, ca. mid-20th century CE. A bold and enigmatic Barbon mask, its commanding face framed by a luxuriant, deeply carved beard and animated by striking pink eyes that lend the figure a vivid, almost theatrical intensity. Hammered from copper and enriched with traces of polychromy, the mask captures the layered dialogue between tradition, invention, and market demand that defines much of Guerrero's celebrated folk production. The bearded visage, unmistakably European in character, is central to understanding the mask's origin. With its prominent nose, curling mustache, and dense, cascading beard, the figure belongs to the visual language of the Barbon - "the bearded one" - a type long associated with colonial archetypes and imagined outsiders. Above each ear, carved red flowers introduce a lively decorative contrast, softening the otherwise imposing expression and reinforcing the mask's performative flair. Size: 8.4" W x 14.6" H (21.3 cm x 37.1 cm)

The vividly painted pink eyes, set deep beneath arched brows, heighten the sense of presence, catching light in a way that would have animated the mask in motion.

The verso retains a backing of canvas cloth, a practical feature for wear and stabilization, further suggesting its intended use as a performative or display object. Openings at the eyes and mouth, along with attachment perforations, support this functional aspect.





Though once cataloged as a representation of Tlaloc, the Nahua rain deity, this interpretation has been firmly reconsidered. As noted by anthropologist Dr. Fernando Nava, pre-Hispanic rain ceremonies dedicated to Tlaloc did not employ masks of this type, and certainly not in metal. While dance held sacred importance in Nahua agricultural cycles, the material, style, and physiognomy here point instead to a later, hybridized tradition.





Masks of this kind were popularized in the mid-20th century through the writings of Donald Cordry, who referred to them as "Barbones" and associated them with rain-petitioning dances in rural Guerrero. His interpretations, while influential, relied heavily on local narratives rather than firm ethnographic evidence. In reality, these masks were produced by Guerrero artisans for the tourist and collector market, continuing a tradition established in the 19th century when foreign visitors sought ornate metalwork from mining regions such as La Parota.

A compelling example of this cross-cultural artistry, the mask stands at the intersection of folklore, commerce, and creative reinvention - a vivid object whose power lies as much in its story as in its striking visual presence.

Provenance: private collection of S. Saunders, Nogales Arizona, USA collection

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Item # 201771

  • Condition: Some bending to copper and overall weathering with chipping to paint in areas and rich patina throughout. Good remaining pigments and detail.

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by Artemis Fine Arts
June 25, 2026 9:00 AM MDT
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Suite 108
Louisville, CO, US 80027

Artemis Fine Arts

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$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
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$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
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