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Old Maximon in hard wood
$3500

Old Maximon in hard wood
Cerrar
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  • Old Maximon in hard wood
  • Old Maximon in hard wood
  • Old Maximon in hard wood
  • Old Maximon in hard wood
  • Old Maximon in hard wood
  • Old Maximon in hard wood
  • Old Maximon in hard wood
  • Old Maximon in hard wood

The following item belongs to the range of “Antique and Rare Items of the Casa de Artes’ Treasures Series”. This item can only be purchased online using PAYPAL or a US Dollar Check sent to our P.O. Box address in Florida, USA. For buying instructions please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. ----"San Simon" or "Maximon" is an Indigenous Deity that had to be dressed as a Catholic Saint in order to survive the Spanish Inquisition. Some believe he represents "Judas Iscariot"; who has been sent back to Earth to perform good acts and wash away his sins. On Good Saturday, a puppet representing Judas is sited on the entrance of local churches, begging for offerings for the Cofradía or Religious Brotherhoods. At three o'clock he will be hanged at the church's atrium and during the night his body will be burned. People from all social status visit the main "Maximon" Temples in the country; San Andres Itzapa (near Antigua), San Andres Xecúl (near Totonicapán) and Santiago (at Atitlan Lake) especially during October 28th, the Day of Saint Judas. Depending of the candle colours believers will pray for help on good or evil acts. Beer, "Octavos" (liquor), cigars, food and specific plants are required to prepare a "Limpia" or cleansing to get rid of bad luck and evil spirits. The skin of this mask has a unique maroon colour that was formed by mixing liquor, smoke and candle wax; elements that are common in Maximón’s Temple. The characteristic attributes of these kinds of masks are eyes for the character, but no eye holes for the dancer to see, since the mask has been created specially for a puppet. This piece has delicate high relief carved hair, beard and ears; painted eyelashes and eyebrows, and a prominent nose. The piece was carved in hard wood as the inside demonstrates. 

Map
Age: Approximately carved in the 1930’s.
Ethnic Group: K’iché
Origin: Samayac, Suchitepéquez
Materials: hard Wood
Use: Mask for a Maximón Puppet
Technique: hand carved
Size: Approximately 7” x 6” x 7”
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