{"product_id":"martin-xuana-javelina-carnival-dancer-alebrije","title":"Martin Xuana: Javelina Carnival Dancer Alebrije","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis wonderfully expressive \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecarnival figure by Martin Xuana of San Martin Tilcajete\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is based on the town’s famous \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ediablos aceitados\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, or “oiled devils,” who take over the streets during Carnival before Ash Wednesday. Participants traditionally darken or paint their bodies, wear carved masks, tie \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecencerros, or cowbells, around their waists\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, and run, shout, and dance through town to the sound of the bells and band music. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMartin captures that tradition with a crouching black figure wearing a vivid javalina mask, surrounded by a looped cane or switch and carrying a wooden staff. The gold-painted bells hanging from his waist are especially important. In the actual Carnival, the cencerros create a tremendous racket as the dancers move through the streets, making sound part of the spectacle itself. Masks may represent devils, animals, fantastic beings, or human-animal hybrids, and many are carved by local artisans.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI especially like the contrast between the mostly black body and the intensely painted mask in blue, red, turquoise, and yellow. The figure stands on a natural section of wood, which keeps the piece closely connected to San Martin Tilcajete’s carving tradition while also making it feel like a small portrait of the Carnival itself.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin: Oaxaca \u003cbr\u003eDimensions: 8''Tall 4.5''Long 4''Wide\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sandia Folk","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67377541972217,"sku":"1016323MX","price":395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0245\/1069\/3451\/files\/Javalina-Dancer-Alebrije-Mexican-Folk-Art-AdrianX-3835.jpg?v=1792169841","url":"https:\/\/www.sandiafolk.com\/products\/martin-xuana-javelina-carnival-dancer-alebrije","provider":"Sandia Folk","version":"1.0","type":"link"}