Huichol Handmade Mask Multicolor Beaded Folk Art, "Blue Deer with Corn"

Radiant with color, this extraordinary mask by Higinio Hernandez speaks of life close to the earth. On the forehead, a corn plant (tatei yukahima) sends out ripe ears of golden maize. Glowing suns warm the cheeks, and Kawuyomaire, the sacred blue deer, appears on either side of the forehead. Brother of the Huichol people, Kawuyomaire travels the heavens as a guide and guardian. Peyote blossoms, or jicuri, are depicted on the chin. Jicuri is the centerpiece of Huichol ritualism, revered for its curative properties and its ability to enlighten those who partake of it.

Aided by his wife and guided by their imagination and feelings, Hernandez creates these vivid images with brilliant chaquira beads patiently placed one at a time on a surface coated with beeswax, instead of glue. His masks reveal the rich cosmology of the Huichol people and add color and life to any setting.

Care instructions: Do not expose this piece to direct heat or light, which may cause the wax to dry or soften, and thus loosen the beads.