Making The Mask, pg. 2 of 3

In the decoration process, not everything is painted and other decorative techniques are common:

Carved: (Fig. 5.8) Occasionally the decorated elements are carved, either positively or negatively, such as the forehead crosses. In addition to the regular facial features, some makers carve animal figures as side border decoration, such as those made by José Jojuve recorded recently (2006) on pascola masks in Etchojoa and Tres Cruces.

Fig. 5.8a: Positive
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Fig. 5.8b: Negative
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Fig. 5.8c: Carved Figure
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Incised: Commonly used on the side border, incising emphasizes the lines or band elements (Fig. 5.9).

Inlay: While more frequent in the past, this practice is experiencing somewhat of a revival today, especially for the tourism market, as evident in the masks made by Hector Francisco Gamez Piña in Masiaca (Fig. 5.9 and 5.10). The materials used for inlay range from all sorts of beads (glass, plastic, metal) to pieces of mother-of-pearl and mirrors cut into small geometrical shapes. This inlay work occurs almost exclusively on the forehead and side border areas of the mask, but may appear on the cheeks too.

Fig. 5.9a: Incised and metal bead Enlarge	Fig. 5.9b: Glass beads and mother-of-pearl on cross, possible original circular mirrors Enlarge
Fig. 5.9c: Plastic/glass beads Enlarge	Fig. 5.9d: Plastic bead Enlarge
Fig. 5.9e: Mother-of-pearl inlay Enlarge	Fig. 5.9f: Mirror pieces Enlarge