The Thing About ReligionMain MenuIntroduction to Religious ThingsGuide to the GalleriesBehind the Mask - MesoamericaCross My Heart, Hope to DieSacred Texts from ChinaLet There Be LightImportant TermsMichael Hsu8a3ef4932b27ce698c4ec20fba6bf5cefb1fa5f3Joanne Lee50d4ca288f17b17f98af75f4ebc6b7cb87058cfeKimberly Melgoza9a781379e949b57bd2d31e49d830a046802d55e5Nhat Ngoc66dcb86bd04ce0f71a271129eb00ca9b1ead4d4
Ceramic Mask
1media/mask 3_thumb.jpg2021-03-05T16:57:57-08:00Kimberly Melgoza9a781379e949b57bd2d31e49d830a046802d55e5386224Mexico, 12th-9th Century B.C.plain2021-04-28T15:16:59-07:0012th–9th century B.C.EMexico, MesoamericaCeramicH. 5 1/5 in. (13.2 cm)[Judith Small Nash Gallery, New York, until 1963]; Nelson A. Rockefeller, New York, 1963, on loan to The Museum of Primitive Art, New York, 1963–1978Kimberly Melgoza9a781379e949b57bd2d31e49d830a046802d55e5
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1media/mask 3.jpg2021-03-05T15:21:56-08:00Ceramic Mask21plain2021-04-27T23:24:53-07:00 Tlatilco was a place which is now the basin of Mexico. In this area, masks were typically very bizarre or represented supernatural beings, as shown below. This specific mask dates from the 12th – 9th century BCE. This mask is pretty unlike the others in that the facial characteristics are exaggerated: the bulging eyes and the tongue sticking out. There are also aspects of animals in this mask, such as the serpent ears, which is probably representing their strong beliefs in animals deities, that of a serpent god. This mask actually has holes in the eyes and mouth but based on its dimensions it was too small to be worn on the face. It does have holes on the sides (under the ears), which meant that it could be tied to a sculpture. (1) 1. Metmuseum.org. Accessed April 15, 2021. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/313266.
