Rural Veracruz carnivals near Xalapa feature various people in bull costumes, which often have elaborate wood masks.

The Fasnet season begins officially on 6 January with the traditional dedusting of the wood masks.

The seller contends that the objects, a wood mask dated between 1510 and 1660 and an early bentwood hunting hat, may well be better off in private hands.

The use of wood masks is common for this event, and a number of artisans here dedicate themselves to creating them.

Garden art includes carved wood Indian masks, large Inuit sculptures and an exhibition space devoted to the work of emerging Alberta artists.

The haunting group of carved wood masks from the Pacific Northwest, redolent of their Asian sources, will never again be used for dancing or healing.

Flowerpots and clay objects from San Antón, handcrafted paper from wood chips with multicolored paintings, and wood lacquered masks are other products of the municipality.

Totally arresting, the 18-inch-tall carved wood mask has closed eyes, a long, sharp nose and a small oval mouth with teeth showing.

Participants are men dressed in multicolored outfits and wood masks who dance in the streets accompanied by live or recorded music.

The 19th-century carved Chinese wood masks, top left, sell for $2,900 apiece at Interieurs.