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Handcrafted Jungle Cat Costa Rican Wood Mask, 'Boruca Wild Cat'

Product ID: U33310

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Handcrafted Jungle Cat Costa Rican Wood Mask, 'Boruca Wild Cat'

Delivery Estimate

Get it before Mother's Day [see all shipping options]

This item is available for pre-order and will ship within 2 to 8 weeks. Learn More

Available in 2 to 8 weeks. Learn More

Details

This cat is full of character, not to mention color. Victor Hernandez hand-carves this decorative balsa wood mask in the image of a jungle cat. Brass eyelets and an agave cord are attached to the back for easy hanging.

The Boruca people live in southwestern Costa Rica. Devil masks are part of a centuries-old festival called "The Game of the Devils," honoring the Boruca's fight to defend their land from invading Spaniards. During the festival, the masked actors portray defenders fighting a bull, representing Spain. The bull is a large costume that takes about ten men to maneuver. Victor Hernandez learned the art of Boruca mask carving at the side of his father.

Made in Costa Rica

  • Balsa wood, agave fiber cord
  • Signed by the artist
  • Intended as wall decor
  • Hand-crafted item -- color, size and/or motif may vary slightly
  • Free Gift Wrap? No
  • Premium Gift Wrap? No
  • 0.12 kgs
  • 0.3 lbs
  • 25 cm H x 16 cm W x 8.5 cm D
  • 9.75" H x 6.25" W x 3.3" D
View in metric units View in US/English units

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Victor Hernandez

Meet the Artist

Artfully crafted by Victor Hernandez from Central America.

 

Meet the Artist

Victor Hernandez

Victor Hernandez

"I carve the traditional masks of Boruca. My father taught me… each of his carvings was a work of art with a world of colors and a story behind it."

"Each of my designs is based on years of tradition. They preserve the stories my parents and grandparents told us,... stories that really happened in a culture filled with magic.

"I was born in Costa Rica in 1990, and I carve the traditional masks of Boruca. My father taught me from the time I was a small boy and his workshop was my favorite place to be. Every afternoon became an adventure as I'd sit beside him and watch his hands work magic with a simple piece of wood. Each of his carvings was a work of art with a world of colors and a story behind it.

"These masks are used during the fiesta we celebrate from December 30 to January 2, known as the Game of the Little Devils. It commemorates the struggles of the people of Boruca to defend their territory from the Spanish invaders, represented by the bull.

"Despite the crafting these masks, opportunities in Boruca aren't very accessible. I thank God I was able to earn a degree in tourism at the university in Cartago. It wasn't easy, because my scholarship didn't cover everything and, when I graduated, jobs were scarce and hard to find. I decided to continue carving masks.

"Today, my workshop supports the entire family. I'm privileged to have the help of my beautiful wife, who is more than my friend, my life companion, my partner, my greatest source of support. When we have a lot of work, she works right there alongside me.

"I'm proud of this art, which is more than a source of income for my family. We want to preserve and share one of our community's richest traditions. We all want to see progress for all of us. If one of us falls, we all help him get on his feet again and we all work with greater strength. We want our masks to reach many parts of the world and for shoppers to appreciate not only our designs but also the dedication and history in them."

View full artist profile

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This item ships with a free artist storycard, so you can remember who you impacted today. Customized gift messages are also available with every order.

We want you to be 100% satified with your order, so if you are not completely happy with your item, you can return it within 60 days of receiving it.

Return instructions

We pack, ship, certify and 100% guarantee the quality of this item. Watch this video to see how.

This item is available for backorder and will ship within 2 to 8 weeks. Artists love to get backorders. Placing a backorder ensures that the artisan will do their best to create and deliver your item to our local office for shipment.

Although we cannot guarantee availability, we do expect to be able to fill the order within the timeframe indicated. But sometimes life happens - special materials may not be immediately available to the artist, or there might be some other circumstance beyond our control that could delay the shipment.

If for any reason we are unable to ship the item within the timeframe indicated, we will notify you.

In the unlikely even that we are unable to ship the item within the timeframe indicated, we will contact you and provide an updated delivery window.

This item has a special shipping flat fee which means that due to bulk, duties, or other special requirements, the item will be shipped to you via one of our special one-rate services. Shipping is only available to the United States (lower 48 States only).

WOMEN S M L XL XXL
4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22
BUST 35 - 36 37 - 38 39 - 41 42 - 44 46 - 48
WAIST 27 - 28 29 - 30 31 - 33 34 - 36 38 - 40
HIPS 37 - 38 39 - 40 42 - 43 45 - 46 49 - 50
MEN S M L XL XXL
CHEST 36 - 38 39 - 41 42 - 44 46 - 48 50 - 52
WAIST 30 - 32 32 - 34 35 - 37 38 - 41 43 - 45
NECK 14 - 14.5 15 - 15.5 16 - 16.5 17 - 17.5 18 - 18.5
SLEEVE 32.5 33.5 34.5 35.5 36.5
FINDING YOUR SIZE

Take your measurements with the tape measure over your under garments. If your measurements fall between sizes you may prefer the next larger size. Inseam, skirt and dress lengths vary by style and will be listed in the item description. Our sweaters are knit in standard American sizes, however actual measurements vary by style.

BUST / CHEST

Measure around the fullest part of chest under the arms and over the shoulder blades keeping the tape measure level.

WAIST

Measure around the smallest part of the waist keeping the tape measure comfortably loose. Most garments use the low waist measurement noted below.

LOW WAIST

Measure around the body approximately 1.5" below the natural waist (above). This is the area where most pants and skirts actually fit.

HIPS

Standing with your heels together, measure around the fullest part of the body approx 7"-8" below the waist.

NECK

Measure around the base of the neck keeping the tape measure comfortably loose.

SLEEVE

Bend elbow slightly and starting at the center back of the neck, measure across the shoulder, to the elbow and down to the wrist.

INSEAM

Our standard inseam length for women is 32" and 34" for men; however inseam measurements will vary slightly by style.

 

Belts with buckles are measured in inches that correspond to a waist size however, most people do not wear belts on the waist, they wear them closer to the hips. A buckle belt measurement is take from the end of the "pin" of the buckle to the middle hole on the belt. Generally there are 5 holes for size adjustment, with a 1" space between each, so the middle hole will the be average size of the belt.

For at tie belt (no buckle) measure the belt portion end to end and half of the tie portion. This again is the medium size of the belt.

For a soft fabric tie belt it can be called "1 size fits most" and the entire length of the belt should be measured and listed.

See buckle/tie belt size standards below.

WOMEN S M L XL  
4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22
inches 26 - 30 28 - 32 31 - 35 34 - 38 38 - 42
cm 76 - 86 81.5 - 91.5 86.5 - 96.5 91.5 - 101.5 96.5 - 106.5

+/- tolerance: 0.5 inches or 1.25 cm

MEN S M L XL XXL
inches 30 - 34 32 - 36 35 - 39 39 - 43 43 - 47
cm 81.5 - 91.5 86.5 - 96.5 91.5 - 101.5 96.5 - 106.5 109 - 119

+/- tolerance: 0.5 inches or 1.25 cm

Sash tie length

Lay sash/tie out flat away from the garment and measure from end to end.

Belt with buckle

Measure from the end of the pin of the buckle (where it touches the buckle) to the middle hole.

Belt without buckle

Measure from the belt portion end to end and half of the tie portion. This is will give you the medium size of the belt.

Download our printable ring sizing chart to find the perfect fit!

DOWNLOAD

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Handmade goods from developing nations usually pass through a series of intermediaries before being purchased by retail consumers. Each of these intermediaries adds cost to the product, and that cost is passed on to the customer. UNICEF USA partnered with NOVICA, who works directly with artists through their regional offices in Asia, Africa and Latin America, allowing purchases from UNICEF Market to go directly from the artisans to fulfilling customer orders. By skipping steps in the traditional supply chain, you can buy high quality items for less than the regular retail prices.

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Each item purchased from UNICEF Market will benefit UNICEF's programs that provide lifesaving nutrition, medicine, education, clean water, emergency relief and more to children in need.

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