The masks created by the Aztecs were mainly used as a part of religious rituals and were a key part of many ceremonies and worm by dancers and priests.
These masks are often made to reflect the appearance of an Aztec Deity, such as: Xiuhtecuhtli, Tlaloc and Tezcatlipoca.
The masks were often made from a wooden base with decorations made from precious materials such as turquoise, shells or clay.
The Aztec’s mainly coloured their masks with primary reds and blues, and to a lesser degree some mixed colours like green. This coupled with turquoise and pieces of shell gives some of the masks a very creepy look to them.
Mosaics were an important technique used in Aztec masks and most masks featured mosaic to some degree.
Some masks were even made after the image of animals, and is created In the shape of a persons spirit animal, which will protect and guide them.
At the end of Aztec civilisation the masks went out of use, but today, we can still appreciate the amount of time and effort put into these masks which helps us understand the importance of these masks in Aztec society.
Even today our culture is in ways, influenced by these ancient Aztec masks. From Halloween masks to birthday masks all are in someway, related these old masks. While not as important as these masks of old, they still retain some significance in our culture today.
Bibliography:
http://www.mask-and-more-masks.com/aztec-masks.html
Google Images search for “Aztec masks”
http://mosaicartsource.wordpress.com/2007/01/17/aztec-mosaic-masks-turquoise-double-headed-serpent-mosaic-british-museum/
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