Jester Mask Item Number: 2946/93 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Pepino mask. Fabric mask with half-red, half-yellow face. The tip of the nose is painted red. The lips and teeth are white on the yellow portion of the face and pink on the red side. There are diamonds and circles in yellow and red on the chin. There is a large red heart on each cheek. Blue paper ears have been attached to the sides of the head with staples. There are three foam triangles at the top of the head in green, pink and yellow. The front hem is unstitched and the back is sewn in blue and white thread.
History Of Use
La Paz's pepinos, or buffoons, are derived from the Italian Punchinello of the commedia dell'arte, which was imported into Latin America through the 18th-century Spanish court theatre. Buffoons, dressed as devils, demonic beasts etc., personify ridiculousness and stupidity, and elicit laughter to reaffirm the community's rejection of evil, anti-social behaviour, and "foreignness", while expressing its commonly held ethical aspirations and moral identity.
Item History
- Made in La Paz, Bolivia
- Collected by Anthony A. Shelton during February 2012
- Owned by Anthony A. Shelton before March 12, 2012
- Received from Anthony A. Shelton (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Exhibitions Budget (Funding source) on March 12, 2012
What
- Name
- Jester Mask
- Identification Number
- 2946/93
- Type of Item
- mask
- Material
- paint, polyester fibre ?, paper, polyurethane foam and metal
- Overall
- height 30.5 cm, width 24.0 cm, depth 13.0 cm
Who
- Culture
- Bolivian
- Field Collector
- Anthony A. Shelton
- Previous Owner
- Anthony A. Shelton
- Received from
- Anthony A. Shelton (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Exhibitions Budget (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- La Paz, Bolivia
When
- Collection Date
- during February 2012
- Ownership Date
- before March 12, 2012
- Acquisition Date
- on March 12, 2012
Other
- Item Classes
- textiles
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 2946/0093