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Museum of International Folk Art
Collections: Latin American
Comanche Mask
Comanche Mask for Carnival and
Day of the Dead Dances
Huastec People
San Luis Potosí, Mexico
1997
International Folk Art Foundation
 
The Latin American collection includes folk art from Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. Numbering over 40,000 pieces, this collection comprises the largest holding in the museum, with the vast majority dating from the mid-20th century. Objects from Mexico, Peru, Guatemala, Brazil and other countries with large indigenous populations are particularly well represented. The predominant types of objects include wood and ceramic figures, dance masks, folk religious objects, utilitarian ceramics, village costumes, jewelry prints, paintings, dolls and toys.

To keep pace with the dynamic artistic atmosphere in Latin America, it is important to travel to various regions to purchase folk art directly from the artists and document the cultural setting in which it is being made. One of our particular interests is folk art that reflects political and social issues of Latin America, including relations with the United States. To fill gaps in our collection we also continue acquiring outstanding examples of Latin American folk art from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Necklace
Necklace
Choapan, Oaxaca, Mexico
Early 19th century
International Folk Art Foundation
Jose Borges Woodblock Print
Woodblock Print
A Criador de Porco
Jose Borges
Bezerros, Pernambuco, Brazil
c. 1995
Gift of Jim and Beej
Nierengarten-Smith
Lacquerware Bowl
Lacquerware bowl
Nahua People
Olinala, Guerrero, Mexico
1876
Gift of Girard Foundation
Toy Car
Toy Car
Aguas Caliente, Mexico
c. 1965
Gift of Girard Foundation