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This contemporary carved wood el Tigre mask from Guerrero has mirror eyes and porcupine quills sticking out of its face. The teeth are pig/boar's teeth set into the wood. Painted yellow and black, masks such as this one would be donned by masked dancers in various masquerades.

Measures 14" tall by 9" wide by 7" front to back.

El Tigre Jaguar Masks are from the Mexican state of Guerrero. They are used as face masks along with a full-body costume, usually of painted canvase. They were named El Tigre because the Spanish had never seen a Jaguar. They are danced or worn during a variety of masquerades, the most common of which pits the jaguar against two farmers or shepherds and their various domesticated animals (usually played by masked boys). The jaguar attacks and kills the animals (donkeys, goats, sheep, etc.) with a whip... and occasionally jumps into the crowd, scarying children. Costumed dancers in buzzard costumes circle, showing that death comes in the night. Eventually the farmers or shepherds prevail and kill the jaguar and drag him away by his tail.

Other Jaguar masks are used in coming-of-age rituals by young men in Guerrero, however these are usually made of leather.

Additional detailed photos & information available upon request.

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