This is a rare and exceptional Mexican mask by Filiberto Lopez Ortiz, Mixtec mask maker who gained attention for his excellent craftsmanship and diversity of style. This Jaguar (Tigre) circa 1960s, is a fantastic example of his artistry. This mask is signed and inscribed on the inside and reads "hecho por Filiberto Lopez Ortiz Pinotepa Nal. Oax."
One of Filiberto Lopez' jaguar masks currently resides at The Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI).
Filiberto Lopez Ortiz is mentioned in Donald Cordry's book Mexican Masks on page 47, fig. 59. He was described as a gifted young mask maker whos fame had begun to spread to Mexico City when he was killed in a land dispute "well before he reached his prime as an artist." Another example very closely resembling this one is also picture on the same page, in the center around a varied assortment of his other masks.
Condition: This mask is in excellent condition with almost no visible paint loss. There are a few cracks as you can see in the photos, the deepest runs down the mouth to the chin, there is a more superficial one from the nose to the mouth and another long minor crack on the back of the head.
From the estate of Jose and Becky Guerra.
This is a rare and exceptional Mexican mask by Filiberto Lopez Ortiz, Mixtec mask maker who gained attention for his excellent craftsmanship and diversity of style. This Jaguar (Tigre) circa 1960s, is a fantastic example of his artistry. This mask is signed and inscribed on the inside and reads "hecho por Filiberto Lopez Ortiz Pinotepa Nal. Oax."
One of Filiberto Lopez' jaguar masks currently resides at The Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI).
Filiberto Lopez Ortiz is mentioned in Donald Cordry's book Mexican Masks on page 47, fig. 59. He was described as a gifted young mask maker whos fame had begun to spread to Mexico City when he was killed in a land dispute "well before he reached his prime as an artist." Another example very closely resembling this one is also picture on the same page, in the center around a varied assortment of his other masks.
Condition: This mask is in excellent condition with almost no visible paint loss. There are a few cracks as you can see in the photos, the deepest runs down the mouth to the chin, there is a more superficial one from the nose to the mouth and another long minor crack on the back of the head.
From the estate of Jose and Becky Guerra.
