Vintage Guatemalan Conquistador Mask – Hand-Carved Wood Spaniard Folk Art Dance Mask

A hand-carved Guatemalan Spaniard mask with a rosy pink face, bright blue painted eyes ringed in gold, a carved gold-and-brown moustache, and sculpted hair framing the face. The eye slits sit just above the painted eyes, and side holes and a cord hanger show how it was made to be worn. Hand-chiseled tool marks are visible inside.

A bit of history: Masks like this were made for the Baile de la Conquista (Dance of the Conquest), a dance performed throughout Guatemala, usually on a town’s patron saint holiday. It reenacts the 1524 clash between the Spanish conquistador Pedro de Alvarado and the K’iche’ Maya leader Tecún Umán. The light skin, facial hair, and blue eyes mark this character as one of the Spaniards.

Details: Carved and painted wood, cord hanger. Approx. 8.5 x 6 x 5in.
Condition: Good vintage condition with paint chips on the nose, chin, and moustache, and light scuffs consistent with age. Please see photos.