Vintage Melvin Gonzalez Rojas Boruca Devil Parrot Mask from Costa Rica For Sale

Hand-carved and hand-painted Boruca balsa-wood mask from Costa Rica, signed on the reverse by Indigenous artist Melvin González Rojas and dated 11.12.1997.The design combines a fierce diablito or warrior face with colorful parrot or macaw forms along both sides. Details include deeply carved eyes, a projecting angular nose, prominent fangs and teeth, and vivid red, green, yellow, blue, black and white painted decoration.The reverse is hollowed and inscribed:* “Melvin Gonzalez Rojas”
* “Arte en balsa”
* “Boruca”
* “11.12.1997”There is also an additional handwritten “Colegio Panamericano, S.A. 14 Nov 97” notation, possibly recording an earlier owner or acquisition.Measures approximately 11 inches tall by 7 inches wide.This is being described as a decorative or collector mask. No claim is made that it was worn during the Fiesta de los Diablitos or used ceremonially.A distinctive signed example of Costa Rican Boruca folk art suitable for a collection of Indigenous art, Latin American folk art, carved masks or Costa Rican cultural objects.Condition descriptionVintage preowned condition with scattered scratches, scuffs, paint wear, small edge chips and natural checking or roughness in the soft balsa wood. Noticeable wear is present around the outer edges and lower reverse. All major carved facial, tooth and bird elements are present. The reverse retains the artist’s handwritten signature, Boruca attribution and 1997 date. Please review all photographs closely for the exact condition.