This ceramic devil skull by Saul Montesinos of Izúcar de Matamoros, Puebla combines the grinning face of a calavera with striped horns, pointed ears, and an exaggerated red tongue. Across the forehead, Montesinos fills the surface with exceptionally fine geometric and organic patterns. The small loop at the top allows the piece to hang as a mask.
Devils have a long and wonderfully varied place in Mexican folk art. The figure arrived through Christian imagery during the colonial period and became especially prominent in pastorelas, traditional Christmas plays in which devils try to tempt or obstruct the shepherds on their way to see the Christ Child. Devil characters also appear in regional dances and festivals, often wearing elaborate masks.
In Mexican popular art, the devil is frequently more mischievous than terrifying. Artisans exaggerate the horns, teeth, tongues, colors, and expressions until evil becomes theatrical and even humorous. Montesinos takes that tradition in his own direction here, merging the diablo with the Day of the Dead calavera and covering him with the brilliant painted decoration associated with Izúcar de Matamoros.
