Rare Antique Guatemalan Wooden Dance Mask Patina Spinning Glass Eyes AP Morería!

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About the Item

Wow! Provenanced to its original Morerías (rental Shop) / Carver by its branding on the reverse side "AP": Pedro Antonio Tistoj Mazariegos of the town of San Cristóbal Totonicapán (c. 1912-1978) Made of Hardwood (Cedar) Even if this was made during his last year of life, this mask would be approximately 50 years old. However, given the style, multiple layers of paint, and deep, rich Patina we can safely assume it's even older than that... likely some 75+ years old... so probably made in the 1940s... maybe the 1930s. Note the hints of gold paint underneath... this piece has changed forms over the years! Google "CONSERVATION OF MASKS FOR MAYA 2012: LORDS OF TIME" and you'll find a really interesting study by the Penn Museum on the layers of paint on these old Guatemalan masks! This mask has two AP brandings on it... presumably to protect it from having its singular AP cut off and removed for a devious deal... Representing the Guatemalan National Hero, the Mayan Prince and General Tecún Umán. The legend tells that he fought against Pedro de Alvarado, the main Spanish Conquistador in the Battle of Quetzaltenango in 1524. As he confronted Alvarado he injured his horse, believing that they were one and the same creature. However, Alvarado attacked him with his sword and killed him. During the Dance of the Conquest, at three o’clock, Tecún Umán dies; linking him to Jesus dying at the cross. The Quetzal Birds seen on his forehead are folk-lored to have gotten their red chest feathers from our hero’s blood. Dancers typically switch over to masks with blood stains and closed eyes after this event. This piece has Quetzales decorating the forehead definitively letting us know that this piece was a Tecún Umán Mask. At the Morerías, they will transform characters into another mask just by painting the traditional details of the piece they need. This mask is unique in that it has the only example that I've ever seen by which there are glass eyes that can fully rotate and change the character from a lively hero with bright green eyes to one that is nearing is bloody demise. That combined with it being from one of the most successful and well recognized Morerías really makes it a "holly grail" of mask collecting and deserving of preservation. Plastic coated wire has been recently added.

Dimensions:
Height: 8 in (20.32 cm)Width: 6 in (15.24 cm)Depth: 5 in (12.7 cm)
Materials and Techniques:
Cedar,Hand-Carved
Place of Origin:
Guatemala
Period:
1930-1939
Date of Manufacture:
1930s
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. We have not made restorations; however the piece has original restorations during its life.
Seller Location:
Brunswick, ME
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU6081226478602