- Antique, stunning, museum-quality, ca1890-1910, Ethnographic, used, Guatemalan mask
- 7 ¼” x 6 ¾” 11 ¼” with custom stand which is included in this sale
- Patina on the reverse, multiple layers of thick, poly-chrome paint Mustache has a layer of silver, a layer or bronze, and a layer of gold...
- Piercing bluish-green eyes; reverse painted, German glass eyes held in place with a proprietary form of bees wax
- Given the tight fit of the glass eyes to wood, I believe these glass eyes to be original to the piece.
- Glass eyes have been professionally cleaned recently.
- Turn-of-the century, as attested by the over-pronounced, 3-dimensional sideburns
- Commanding, rich/deep tones of golden hair; the scalloped top is especially nice.
- Representing the main Spanish Conquistador, Pedro de Alvarado. During the Dance of the Conquest,
- Alvarado will fight against the leader of the Mayan Warriors, Tecun Uman.
- Alvarado was sent by Cortez to conquer the south of Mexico, a territory known as "Coactemalan" by the Indigenous people, the “Place of Trees”.
- When the Mayas saw this blond character, they nicknamed him "Tonatiuh"- the son of the Sun.
- So when represented during the ceremonies, the blondness of the character is always exaggerated; notice the beautiful colonial style carvings with golden painted hair, sideburns, eyebrows, and mustache.
- Pinkish in color denoting the characters European heritage that has left him sun-burnt during the long battle.
- The characters prosperity is captured in his chubby, double-chin. Its also a keen note on the carver's attention to detail.
- The exquisite ability of the artist is demonstrated with excellent hair lines; the high relief sideburns, fine mustache of this piece In better than average condition given its age.
- Very limited paint flaking. Given the limited flaking, I strongly suspect this mask has already been treated with a player of "isinglass" (a glue made from the swim bladders of sturgeon fish, and is a common practice among conservationists).
- No noted moreria marks
- Evidence of previous foam padding at on the sides of the chin area on the reverse, further attesting to its danced past.
- More masks from my collection are current up for sale - Check out my other items!
- Wooden Ethnographic Mask
- Authentic Cultural Artifact
- Indigenous Carved Mask
- Traditional Ethnic Art
- Handcrafted Tribal Piece
- Vintage Ethnographic Mask
- Folk Art Wall Decor
- Handcarved Cultural Mask
- Collectible Ethnic Art
- Antique Tribal Mask
- Exotic Home Wall Art
- Indigenous Ritual Mask
- Handmade Cultural Artifact
- Rare Ethnographic Collectible
- Artistic Wooden Mask
- Ethnographic Heritage Piece
- Used Ethnic Wall Hanging
- Tribal Ritual Wall Art
- Cultural Decorative Piece
- Ethnic Crafted Artwork