Hand Crafted Mexican Hand Beaded Papier Mache Mask, "Jicuri Crown"

Mysterious and serene, the features of this extraordinary Huichol mask are adorned with an array of ceremonial images. The personage wears a headdress with a glowing green peyote blossom, or jicuri. His blue hair is the colour of kawuyomaire, the sacred deer, which also appears in white on his cheeks. Jicuri is the centrepiece of Huichol ritualism, revered for its curative properties and its ability to enlighten those who partake of it. Higinio Hernandez creates this beautiful mask of papier-mache and tiny chaquira beads. "This mask has a kind of crown. This signifies that it is used by men; women use masks without a crown," Hernandez explains.

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. Beeswax is used instead of glue. His masks reveal the rich cosmology of the Huichol people and add colour and life to any setting.

Care instructions: Since this exquisite mask is made with the traditional process of attaching the beads with campeche wax, do not expose this piece to direct heat or light, which may cause the wax to dry or soften and thus loosen the beads.