Teodoro Vidal Collection of Puerto Rican History

Explore Puerto Rico’s history, from the 16th to the 20th centuries, through the eyes of collector Teodoro Vidal. Vidal captured the island’s history by collecting thousands of objects. Over 80 artifacts are featured here.

This papier-mâché mask was made by Miguel Caraballo in 1985.
Description
This papier-mâché mask was made by Miguel Caraballo in 1985. Masks like this are typically worn by young men from the neighborhood, who don the costume of a vejigante , a character who roams the streets during Carnival, playfully scaring children and other revelers, and swatting them with vejigas (balloon-like, inflated animal bladders).
Description (Spanish)
Esta máscara de papel maché fue confeccionada por Miguel Caraballo en 1985.
Para la época del carnaval, los jóvenes del barrio acostumbran disfrazarse de vejigantes con máscaras como ésta y salen a deambular por las calles asustando a los niños y concurrentes a la fiesta, dándoles palmadas con sus vejigas (vejigas de animales infladas como globos y puestas a secar).
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1985
maker
Caraballo, Miguel Angel
ID Number
1997.0097.0002
accession number
1997.0097
catalog number
1997.0097.0002

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