Mexican Vintage Hand-painted Wood Jaguar Dance Mask with Tusks and Quills stair step pattern though it is rather hard

though it is rather hard to make out

but I think it is perfect just by itself

There are minor dings and light wear to the wood consistent with age (I would guess these were made in the 40s or 50s)

I'm getting more and more into carved wooden objects

” “the sweet symbol of a high and elaborate civilization

Mexican Vintage Hand-painted Wood Jaguar Dance Mask with Tusks and Quills stair step pattern though it is rather hardWow! I found this Mexican hand painted wooden Jaguar dance mask with applied (real) tusks, leather tongue and ears, glass eyes, and porcupine quills popping out everywhere at an antique shop in Newburyport, MA and knew it had to come home with me. I have since found others similar (including in museum collections) and know that it likely came from Guererro in Mexico, and likely dates to the 1980s or so. From what I understand, there is no real