Bidspirit auction | Haitian Carnival Crocodile Mask :

Haitian Carnival Crocodile Mask : Vintage Artist - This hand-made Crocodile Mask designed for a Carnival celebration comes from Jacmel, Haiti, the southern city in Haiti known for its papier-mache arts and masks. Jacmel Papier-Mache mask artisans are among the most famous in the world known for this art and craft. This Crocodile mask is unsigned. It measures 17” tall, 10” wide, and 29” long, with incredible paint quality and detail. The paint is uncracked, unchipped, and the glossy sheen remains though this piece is of unknown vintage and comes from a collector who has had these for a few decades. There are some spots of worn paper on the nose. The details in the teeth, tongue, eyes, and skin ridges are extraordinary and unique in a piece of this size. This particular mask is papier-mache from cardboard and paper. While crafted to be displayed in the home for cultural and spiritual reasons, there are viewing and breathing space/holes in the mouth as part of the mask design for the carnival celebration.