Antique guatemalan mask of Conquistador.

Antique guatemalan mask of Conquistador.
Carved wooden mask depicting a Spanish conquistador.

It probably dates to the 19th century, but could be early 20th century.

Painted wood repainted later.

Size: h 19cm, large 18cm, prof.15cm

Inset eyes below openings for the dancer to see through.

This mask was used for the Dance of the Conquest, which re-enacts scenes from the conquest of the Maya kingdoms of Guatemala from 1523–1530. The war between K’iche’ Maya and Spanish forces came to a close with the death of the legendary feather-adorned ruler Tecún Umán at the hands of the blond-haired conquistador Pedro de Alvarado.