An authentic miniature Yaqui Pascola dance mask, carved in the 1970s, with horsehair.  Exceptional quality, collectible.

The Yaqui Indians call the Sonoran desert of Mexico – and the bordering Southwestern United States – home.  Descendants of the Toltec, their ritual dances include a Pascola – a ceremony leader and type of clown figure – who wears elaborate masks typically including both indigenous and Christian figures painted on them. 

The masks are hand-carved from local wood – often cottonwood – and traditionally painted black with white with red or orange highlights.  The masks are then adorned with “hair” crafted from horsehair, goat hair or grass-like agave fiber.

Masks range in size from life-size (and worn during the ceremonial dances) to smaller versions that were once used for trading with other tribes or sold as souvenirs. 

This Yaqui mask, carver unknown, measures 8” in height, 2” in width including the abundant hair and features a hanging loop.

Painted black and featuring a traditional cross on the forehead, it also has red and white painted accents with “blond” horsehair.