05/20/2025
SOLD! Jaguar “Balaam” Mask Ornament of Faceted Cardboard Handcrafted, Painted & Signed by Luis M Acuña of Tepeji, Hidalgo, Mexico
Jaguar “Balaam” Mask Ornament / Adorno de Máscara de Jaguar
Artist: Luis M Acuña of Tepeji del Río de Ocampo, Hidalgo, Mexico
Technique: Faceted Cardboard/Cartonería Facetada, Handcrafted, Hand Painted
Materials: Cardboard, Paint, String for Hanging
Colors: Yellow, Orange, Red, White, Black, Brown
Measurements:
12 cm long/largo x 12 cm wide/ancho x 10 cm deep/profundo
4.7 in long/largo x 4.7 in wide/ancho x 3.9 in deep/profundo
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MEET THE ARTISAN
Luis M. Acuña is a sculptor from Oaxaca City and living in Tepeji del Río de Ocampo, Hidalgo, Mexico. His masks are created using the technique of Cartonería Facetada (faceted cardboard), handcrafted and hand painted. He studied art at E.N.P.E.G. "La Esmeralda" (Escuela Nacional de Pintura, Escultura y Grabado).
This piece is signed on the inside by the artist with his name, location and sculpture technique. His maker's mark is also embossed into the jaguar’s right ear.
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JAGUAR IN MEXICAN CULTURE
Central and South America is home to four cat species: ocelots, jaguarundis, cougars, and jaguars. Of these, jaguars are the largest. The jaguar is revered in Mesoamerican cultures, not only as a powerful animal but as a god.
Central American Cultural Significance
In Mayan and Mexican culture, the jaguar is called Balaam. It is a symbol of life, associated with the regenerative power of nature. It also symbolizes fertile land. Politicians and kings held a deep connection to the jaguar. The jaguar was the ruler of time, the night, and the underworld. Like many other Mesoamerican cultures, the Mayan may have a jaguar god.
In Aztec religion, the jaguar was the animal spirit of the god Tezcatlipoca. Tezcatlipoca was a primary deity in Aztec culture. He is invisible and omnipotent. A fickle god, Tezcatlipoca could bring good or evil. He ruled over many things, including the night, the earth, obsidian, warriors, and jaguars. When Tezcatlipoca took the form of a jaguar, he was called Tepeyollotl.
In current day Mexico, people perform the Danza de Los Tecuanes or Dance of the Jaguar. It tells the story of a man-eating beast who descends on townspeople and eats their domestic animals. The townspeople call on the Lord of the Mountain to help. Working together, the Lord and the townspeople are able to overpower the Tecuán or jaguar. They rejoiced with a festival and told their story through dance. They still practice this dance today.
Ecological Significance
In addition, people observe and honor the jaguar’s ecological significance. It is America’s largest cat species, comparable to the lions of Africa or tigers of Asia.
As a keystone species, the jaguar is crucial for controlling and balancing various native animal populations in Central and South America. It preys on over 85 different species, including the tapir, South America’s biggest animal. It has the strongest bite force of any of the big cats, and can crack turtle shells.
Unfortunately, just like the other big cats, the jaguar suffers from human influences. Deforestation and animal trafficking reduce wild jaguar populations. There are conservation efforts designating protected lands for these predators. In addition, the cat conservation group, Panthera, is proposing The Jaguar Corridor Initiative, to protect jaguars throughout their entire range from Mexico to Argentina by working with local governments and people.
