Popular Art From Mexico Or Guatemala, Two Conquistador Masks Early 20th Century

Large pair of Masks from Mexico or Guatemala early 20th century.
Imposing pair of carnival masks from the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century in carved and painted wood.
This type of mask were worn during carnivals or religious ceremonies, sometimes festivals with a purpose of resilience and represent the conquistadors, the white men who sought to oust the culture and identity of the native peoples over the centuries.
They are therefore most of the time quite naive and sometimes have crude and threatening traits.
A caricature and a snub to the history of these populations.
It is interesting to note that in this type of mask the eyes are painted and are often clear and the orifices intended for vision are located between the painted eyes and the eyebrows.
very good general condition, little lack of polychromy. we can compare this type of masks to our popular art even to art brut.
A beautiful anthropological and ethnological document.

dimensions:
35 cm high by 18 cm wide and 15 cm deep.
And 30 cm high by 18 cm wide and 14 cm deep for the second.

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