Featured Guatemalan Mask

Just found this 7 1/2" by 6 1/2" Guatemalan Mask. 4 'eye' holes (2 for painted ones (missing),2 for vision). Hole under chin and on top of head for a hanging strap or 2 piece wearing ?
Guessing later part of 20th or 21st century,decent patina (or dust ). Stepped carving on reverse,light aging to wood. No sign of the finer earlier 20th/19th Cent carving that is reminiscent of original classic Spanish roots.
But for $10-what the heck,I'd take a barrel of 'em !
?

 

Mexico or Guatamala .... seems a toss up.... as far as sellers are concerned !

looks tourist grade as the reverse would be hard for a dancer to wear..

 

this 19th cent , looks more wearable !




identified as Mexican

 

Ditto-With the newness, prob not (guessin' here) a kid's mask. Could it have been worn with padding,maybe ? Tourist Grade/Non-Dancer's a good boiler plate evaluation -90% i think.
PS-Still,10 bucks (i'll take a side of fries w/ that) !
PSS- That 19th cent one's fine.

 

I'm not used to seeing padding on SA dance masks

children were most often not used as masked dancers

it's a white conquistador mask.... which a grown up would have worn in dances of the devils that invaded plundered and looted their lands........

 

I'm with you Boss !

 

I agree with Mexican, and not a real mask. More like a wall hanging with traditional background.

Ditto. The origin of such dances was magico-shamanic, which means it was dangerous for children to take part. The no children-rule continued as the magic component started to be forgotten.
And no padding.

 

I’m in-line with @komokwa and @Any Jewelry, but I would like a bit more schooling. In this photo there is a carved out square area that doesn’t seem normal to me for a useable mask. My thoughts are this is where a table stand was attached. Would this make sense or would it have a different function. Seems an obvious sign for a souvenir but I just don’t know.

 

Ba Ba Booey, is that you?

 

Mine has a bit more finesse. Person I got this one from felt it is Guatemalan.

 

Drew-Wondering if your piece could be 19th-early 20th Cent ? I think Guatemalan,but is there a slim chance it could be Spanish ?
PS-Love it.

 

I believe that type, with the Grecian beard, is indeed Guatemalan. Yours is very nice.

 

that makes sense..

 

https://masksoftheworld.com/blog/the-famous-pedro-alvarado/

not definitive..... but this should help u place your carving...

 

luv to see the back, @Drew

 

Without being long winded .... the back of a mask..... the way it's carved out...can point to age , wearability, and even regions.

 

Interesting how these Masks change from their Colonial roots (ie classic Spanish religious 'cathedral quality' portraits) into their more modern folksy 'Indio' depictions.