Bat Mask
Bat Mask

Bat Mask


Collection

Dan Przybylski Collection


Identifier

PR2


Artist

unknown


Description

This wooden mask has the face of a human with two bats on top and bottom of the mask. The depiction of bats in Mexican folk dance masks symbolize the ancient themes of death, darkness, and the unknown. The bat also came to be associated with water, rain and crop fertility. Bat masks were used in traditional bat dances in the state of Guerrero. The bat dances involved both bat masks and other types of animal masks such as butterflies, coyotes and owls.


Medium

wood

Width

7in

Height

17.5in

Length

4in

Where Made (Region)

Guerrero

Where Made (Country)

Mexico

Related place

Mexico

How Acquired

Donation

When Acquired

Oct 10 2018

Name of Donor

Austin Friends of Folk Art