Exquisite ceremonial dance mask representing the Guatemalan National Hero, the Mayan Prince and General Tecún Umán. The legend tells that he fought against Pedro de Alvarado, the main Spanish Conquistador in the Battle of Quetzaltenango in 1524. Tecún Umán told his armies the following: “let us go to meet the Spaniards sounding the sacred conch shells to initiate the war, and let them see that these lands are not so easy to win, and it is vanity to think of vanquishing Quetzaltenango”. As he confronted Alvarado he injured his horse, believing they were one. Alvarado attacked him with his sword and killed him. During the Dance of the Conquest, at three o’clock, Tecún Umán dies; linking him to Jesus dying at the cross. The legend tells that the Quetzal Bird sat in his wounds and got its red chest from the hero’s blood. The character has extraordinary hair, sideburns and moustache carvings. Two Quetzal Birds decorate the character’s forehead. Notice the dark painted skin that highlights the brown glass eyes. The dramatic gesture of the character during the battle is emphasized by his mouth and teeth carvings as well as the forehead wrinkles. Golden teeth demonstrate the character’s wealth. Many layers of paint can be seen and show the different times the piece has been rented. The smoothest patina can be seen in the piece’s interior as well as hand-painted brandings created by the Morería owners.