Conchero Dancers
Place made:Aguascalientes, Mexico
Date: ca. 1960
Dimensions:
h. 18 in. (45.7 cm); w. 4 in. (10.2 cm); d. 3 in. (7.6 cm), average
Credit Line: San Antonio Museum of Art. The Nelson A. Rockefeller Mexican Folk Art Collection
Object number: 85.98.1348
Label Text
These pull toys represent a group of Conchero dancers who perform in honor of the Virgin as thanks for favors received or in anticipation of future blessings. Their instruments are called "conchas," or shells, since they are made of armadillo shells. Their costumes are colorful, romantic versions of Aztec attire. This rare set illustrates the use of recycled materials by folk artists. | Conchas such as this are vital to Mexican religious dance brotherhoods known as "concheros." These groups, always resplendently dressed in plumed headdresses and other paraphernalia associated with Aztec culture, are organized around devotion to a particular saint or Virgin, in whose honor they perform on auspicious occasions. Although mainly found in central Mexico, conchero groups now exist in Los Angeles, San Antonio, and other important Latino cities of the U.S. Southwest. (Marion Oettinger, 1998)
Not on view
In Collection(s)
The San Antonio Museum of Art is in the process of digitizing its permanent collection. This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect SAMA's complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of such records is ongoing.
This resource has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the Human Endeavor.
