Puerto Rican Vejigante Mask
Puerto Rican Vejigante Mask
Usage conditions apply
- Description
- The vejigante is a demon figure from medieval Spanish folklore that has become a staple of Puerto Rican Carnival culture. During Carnival festivals, the vejigante dress in a horned mask called a careta, and flowing costume to join the crowds in singing and dancing. The careta masks are a cultural symbol of Puerto Rico. The masks are typically made in the cities of Ponce and Loiza for use in carnival celebrations and purchased as home decoration by tourists.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- Mask
- Physical Description
- papier mache; paint; metal; copper; rubber/elastic (overall material)
- handmade (overall production method/technique)
- Measurements
- overall: 39.9 cm x 44.6 cm x 21.2 cm; 15 11/16 in x 17 9/16 in x 8 3/8 in
- ID Number
- 1997.0097.0019
- accession number
- 1997.0097
- catalog number
- 1997.0097.0019
- Credit Line
- Gift of Teodoro Vidal
- subject
- Latino
- See more items in
- Home and Community Life: Ethnic
- Many Voices, One Nation
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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