Two Mexican Masks - The Tigre (jaguar) and the Dance of the Moors and the Christians (Moros y Cristianos) are storied symbols in popular festival dances and each have a long history. This rare tigre mask was made by Filiberto Lopez Ortiz, a mask maker of great skill who gained recognition for his talent from his native Oaxaca all the way to Mexico City, and this mask is one of the few that bears his signature. Definitely rare and collectible. Regarding the prevalence of the jaguar image in Mexican culture, Donald Cordry, in his book Mexican Masks, states, the jaguar was and is the single most important animal to the Indians of Central and Southern Mexico. A symbol of war, these were not wars just of conquest, but "flower wars", that were waged to obtain captives to be sacrificed to the gods. He further states that the symbol of the jaguar was more than a representation of the courage and violence implicit in the animal itself, the jaguar was a god in its own right and a model for the Indian way of life. The second mask would be used in the Dance of the Moors and Christians. Likely the first Christian dance introduced to Mexico which was recorded as far back as 1524 when it was presented to Cortes in Coatzacoalcos. It has remained one of the most popular festival dances since then, due to it's representation of good vs evil. Created as part of the Holy Crusade to convert the Mexican Indigenous groups to Christianity, it now comprises an entire group of dances with many variations that over the years have given mask makers and Santeros the ability to show off their unique artistry and talent. Both of these masks are on display and available for purchase. Take home a rare and collectible piece of art today! We are open Monday thru Friday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and Saturday by appointment. #nuevosantandergallery #texasartgallery #mexicanfolkart #mexicanmask #mexicandancemasks #tigremask #tigré #morosycristianos

Two Mexican Masks - The Tigre (jaguar) and the Dance of the Moors and the Christians (Moros y Cristianos) are storied symbols in popular festival dances and each have a long history. This rare tigre mask was made by Filiberto Lopez Ortiz, a mask maker of great skill who gained recognition for his talent from his native Oaxaca all the way to Mexico City, and this mask is one of the few that bears his signature. Definitely rare and collectible. Regarding the prevalence of the jaguar image in Mexican culture, Donald Cordry, in his book Mexican Masks, states, the jaguar was and is the single most important animal to the Indians of Central and Southern Mexico. A symbol of war, these were not wars just of conquest, but "flower wars", that were waged to obtain captives to be sacrificed to the gods. He further states that the symbol of the jaguar was more than a representation of the courage and violence implicit in the animal itself, the jaguar was a god in its own right and a model for the Indian way of life. The second mask would be used in the Dance of the Moors and Christians. Likely the first Christian dance introduced to Mexico which was recorded as far back as 1524 when it was presented to Cortes in Coatzacoalcos. It has remained one of the most popular festival dances since then, due to it's representation of good vs evil. Created as part of the Holy Crusade to convert the Mexican Indigenous groups to Christianity, it now comprises an entire group of dances with many variations that over the years have given mask makers and Santeros the ability to show off their unique artistry and talent. Both of these masks are on display and available for purchase. Take home a rare and collectible piece of art today! We are open Monday thru Friday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and Saturday by appointment. #nuevosantandergallery #texasartgallery #mexicanfolkart #mexicanmask #mexicandancemasks #tigremask #tigré #morosycristianos

"Flowers and Vase" by Fany Mares 20" x 16", acrylic on canvas. Here, Fany's take on a classic still life subject of table top flowers is given her signature blend of liberally applied acrylic and paste and use of flowing lines, giving it a unique and dramatic representation. This charming piece is on display and available for purchase at Nuevo Santander Gallery. Call or message us here to inquire. #nuevosantandergallery #texasartist #contemporaryart #mcallenartist #rgvarts #rgvarts #stilllifepainting #fanymares #fanymaresart

"Flowers and Vase" by Fany Mares 20" x 16", acrylic on canvas. Here, Fany's take on a classic still life subject of table top flowers is given her signature blend of liberally applied acrylic and paste and use of flowing lines, giving it a unique and dramatic representation. This charming piece is on display and available for purchase at Nuevo Santander Gallery. Call or message us here to inquire. #nuevosantandergallery #texasartist #contemporaryart #mcallenartist #rgvarts #rgvarts #stilllifepainting #fanymares #fanymaresart