Q: I recently bought this mask. Its about 20 cm tall. Looks real old and used but I don’t know where its from or from witch culture it is?. I bought it at an auction and paid 400 euro for it. Niek, 1659
A: Niek is a collector of PNG masks. I think he can tell what pre-contact usage looks like. This mask was carved with bones, shells or stone fragments… not a steel tool. But after a long search I have found nothing. Certainly 400 euros will be a great bargain if we can identify it. Please try to help us! Niek will be so appreciative. A?
2 Comments
Aaron Fellmeth
My best guess is that it’s from southern Guatemala, possibly for an early version of the Baile del Torito. The parrot-beak-shaped nose, the mustache, the thick and heavy wood, the small eye holes, the placement of the strap holes, all point to that.
Niek van Rijswijk
Hello Aaron. Thanks a lot for your comment. I do appreciate.
I have looked at Guatamala masks and do see the resamblance. But also still a lot of differences. Most masks do have other masks that are more or less the same. And I have not find an other one like this