Posted 4 years ago
kwqd
(1159 items)
This mask is about 6" high x 5" wide x 2.5" deep. It appears to be made of glass, stone or resin and some type of shell, maybe abalone shell. It is sealed with a clear layer on front and some sort of binding layer on back, which is a chipped away in one corner. I can see that there is black glass in that area. I bought it from a college professor and his wife who are downsizing and during his career had visitors from all over the world. They could not remember who gifted it to them. Their guess was that it is a representation of an Aztec or Mayan death mask. I found only a couple examples of somewhat similar masks but nothing that really leads me to a good conclusion about where and when it was made. It feels kind of touristy to me, though it is pretty nice quality. Maybe a gift shop item? Odd little thing so I bought it as a research opportunity.
Oops! Looks like someone posted one of these to CW years ago:
https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/98452-aztec-burial-mask-lapis-quartz-onyx
There is more information in the comments of this post. Unfortunately, the link in the comments to the maker's site is no longer good.
Cool masks. There seems to be quite a few of them for sale so I imagine this is just a decorative item.
Love these- I know someone who owns two abalone shell ones- she was given them as a gift when on a trip to...either Mexico or some place in the Caribbean? I'm not sure which! They're so sleek and unusual looking :)
Thanks for the comment dav2no1! I think they were pretty popular a few years ago. No idea how long ago "a few" is, though.
Thanks for the information LaurenRedmond! The dead link I found in an old post had "Yucatan" in the URL, so maybe from Central Mexico? The link was seven years old.
Thanks for taking a look at my mask AnythingObscure, aura, Thomas, LaurenRedmond, fortapache, Kevin and dav2no1!
Thanks for stopping by MALKEY!
Thanks for taking a look ho2cultcha and Vynil33rpm!
Thanks for loving my little mask Cokeman1959!