Mexican Masks

Hardcover, 280 pages

English language

Published March 16, 1980 by University of Texas Press.

ISBN:
978-0-292-75050-0
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3 stars (1 review)

Describes the techniques of Mexican Indians for making masks and analyzes the symbolism, religious functions, and social uses of these masks

2 editions

reviewed Mexican Masks by Donald Bush Cordry

A coffee Table academic work

3 stars

Mexican Masks wasn't really what I hoped it would be. Cordry clearly has a great understanding of masks used by what he refers to as Mexican Indians. He lived among them for years and collected as many as he was able to barter for. He found in many states & villagers the locals had abandoned the ritualistic dances that used such masks in favor of the Catholicism of Spain that few had any idea what they were even used for anymore. I feel like Conley was trying to make a big beautiful coffee table book full of pictures of these masks from his private collection and many others'. It also appears he wanted to create a serious academic work, well cited and pear reviewed. I think what we got was neither. it was hard to read in that it would often reference photos on completely different pages, ideas are repeated …

Subjects

  • Indian masks -- Mexico
  • Masks -- Mexico