Mask Of The Xacalcojes Dance, Guatemala

Mask with a wrinkled face with a rough appearance. The nose is arched and recalls the representations of Mayan noses. He wears a beard made of horsehair. The lower part has been blackened while the upper part is lighter. This type of mask appears in the Xacalcojes dance which takes place at Easter. It expresses both sadness (dark part) and happiness (light part). This is the way the Mayans found to express the pain of the death of Jesus and the joy of the resurrection. This face has strong resemblances to the fire god Kauil. This very expressive mask is a beautiful ancient testimony to the syncretism of the indigenous populations of Guatemala.
Early 20th century
Wood with a beautiful patina of use, iron, horsehair.
Height: 20.5 cm (35 cm with the beard)
Guatemala
Sold with its base