Latin America, Central America, Guatemala, ca. early 20th century CE. A wonderful trio of hand-carved wooden dance masks, perhaps representing characters from the Dance of the Conquest. Hand-painted in vibrant hues of red, green, yellow, blue, peach, yellow, gold, black, and white, each visage presents with skillfully delineated facial features and mustaches. All have openwork eyes for the wearer to see surrounded by long eyelashes which are traditional to the culture. One that has maroon-colored skin displays a pair of perched green birds with red breasts and white details flanking its forehead, while the second maroon mask shows a singular green bird at the top of its head and a plumed mane around its periphery. Together they make a fabulous ensemble! Size (of largest): 7.5" W x 9.5" H (19 cm x 24.1 cm)
Provenance: private Los Angeles County, California, USA collection, acquired by descent from the owner's father, collection amassed between 1950 to 1990
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#136013
Condition
Some light abrasions, nicks, and scratches to all 3, commensurate with age and use. Otherwise, all are intact and excellent with nice patina and impressive remaining pigments.