MASKS
A
mask is a device for driving the
personality out of the body and allowing a spirit
to take possession of it. Masks have been used in
many cultures around the world. Masks
were an important part of Mexican
culture long before the Spanish arrived. Today, masks
are mostly found in the southern, central, and north-western
states of Mexico where many Indian
populations live. The masks are usually of beings
either human, animal, male or female. Many times it
is a combination of elements from various categories.
Some masks serve as reminders of ancient deities from
the prehistoric world. Masks are still used at many
festivals and ceremonial
dances. Many of the masked dances
are performed to secure happiness and good fortune.
Popular subjects performed with masks include re-enactment
of the Spanish Conquest, religious tales, and dramas
that includeanimals
and supernatural figures. In most areas masks are
made by specialists who are usually men. Carved
and painted wood is the
most common material used. Masks are also made from
leather, papier-mâché, clay, cloth, cardboard, wire
mesh, gourds, and wax. A unique collection of wooden
hand carved and painted masks
from the states of Guerrero,
Oaxaca and Michoacan.
POTTERY
Ever
since men and women have been known to be on earth,
they made and used pottery. Long
ago items made from clay were created
for their utilitarian value, to carry things in pots
and to store things in pots. Nowadays pottery
serve a decorative purpose as well in our homes and
offices. Pottery is probably the most popular Mexican
folk art, and one of the most ancient. Pottery
is found throughout the country, in many different
styles and forms. The Teotihuacans
(100 B.C. – 800 A.D.) prepared the majority of their
vessels with clay and decorated them with a variety
of techniques: mainly stucco, painting,
and smoothing. The pottery
of the Aztecs (1325 A.D. – 1521 A.D.)
was extremely varied. They made all types of earthenware,
plates, jugs, cups, pots, mostly with red and
orange clay. The Mixtecs stood
out for their polychrome lacquer ceramics,
in which after polishing a piece, they would cover
it with white stucco and then paint it. When the Spaniards
arrived, the blending of societies allowed the indigenous
people to learn new techniques, and the combination
of styles gave life to some of the more famous ceramic
styles of Mexican earthenware, such
as the “majolica” or Talavera.
Each style and finish is tied to
an indigenous tradition and locale. Sun baked terra
cotta comes from Puebla's arid landscape, reduction fired black clay pots
from the Zapotec village
of San Bartolo and hand-moulded
pre-Columbian figures are inspired by early Colima
sculptures. Mexican ceramics bring
together the influences of pre-Hispanic, European,
Arabic and Oriental cultures.
Mexican
pottery was traditionally made by hand, using
coils or moulds. Called earthenware,
this clay was fired at low temperatures.
Before the Spanish came to Mexico,
the firing took place in open fires. Mineral glazes,
the potter's wheel and open top kilns were introduced
by the Spanish and are used today. Common everyday
pottery (la loza corriente)
is simply decorated. It comes in a range of shapes
and sizes. Most of this pottery is used to hold food
or liquids. The more decorative pottery
is often used for ceremonies or household decoration.
Pots are decorated with slips (layers of liquid clay),
paints, and glazes. Animal and human figurines are
often made for sale. Villages often specialize in
making certain types of pottery. In many areas of
the country, women might make the common ware and
men the decorative. In some villages the entire family
will work together to make a certain type of pottery.
Pottery, like all other Mexican crafts,
has changed in the last 100 years. Traditional
pottery is still made, but now usually for
sale.
Whether
you select from our aged-clay artefacts or our other
earthenware Mexican pottery, these
figurines, vessels
and wall-art find their inspiration
and technique in Mexico's ancient
art.
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