Mexican antique vintage ritual ceremonial Guerrero Diablo Devil dance mask

Description

The mask dimensions are: from bottom to top of horns is 17.5 inches. Ear to ear width is 12 inches. Horn to horn width is 13 inches. Mask depth is 9 inches.
This mask is one of many pieces from a private collection of tribal and folk art.
This mask with others, was collected in and around Taxco, Guerrero Mexico in the 1980's during many trips we would take to Mexico over the years.
Over more than 200 years the Mezcala region of San Francisco, Ozomatlan, Guerrero Mexico has been a known wood mask making center. The artisans use soft wood like the wood from the Tzompamitl tree and others to form masks into devils, angels, human faces and animal masks.
This mask represents the Devil or Diablo with what is believed to be a Coatimundi perched on top of his head.
"The Devil Masks are used in various dances and representations during Christmas; some of these representations are called Pastorelas, and tell how a shepherd on his way to visit baby Jesus is tempted by the devil." Yes, they represent evil but these devils are meant to be humorous and amuse the spectators.