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Rabinal Achí - Treasures
$20000

Rabinal Achí - Treasures
Cerrar
Product

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  • Rabinal Achí - Treasures
  • Rabinal Achí - Treasures
  • Rabinal Achí - Treasures
  • Rabinal Achí - Treasures
  • Rabinal Achí - Treasures
  • Rabinal Achí - Treasures
  • Rabinal Achí - Treasures
  • Rabinal Achí - Treasures
  • Rabinal Achí - Treasures
  • Rabinal Achí - Treasures

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. ----- Antique Ceremonial Rabinal Achí Warrior Prince Mask used during the Rabinal Achí, one of the most remarkable works of Mayan literature, dates back to the 1400’s. In 2005, UNESCO declared it to be a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. This drama is still performed with a ritual dance in the village of Rabinal in central Guatemala in the State of Baja Verapaz. The story of the dance is based in an exemplary trial that takes place in Kajyub, the capital of the Rabinaleb at that time, a captured enemy warrior (Quiché Achi) appears before the royal court. A series of combative dialogues pits the offending warrior against the local warrior (Rabinal Achi) and the king (Job Toj), reconstructing the deeds of those involved and retracing the antagonistic history of these two Mayan groups, the Quiché and the Rabinaleb. The mask has a light green frame, characteristic of the masks carved at Rabinal Morerias. The green painted eyes and bronze skin give the piece a dramatic look; black painted eyebrows, tiny eyelashes and well formed moustaches and beard denote the exquisite ability of the artist. The left side of the piece has suffered significantly; it is attached by metal restorations and the lower cheek section is missing. The age of this old mask can be determined by the many different layers of paint the front side has (see mouth), as well as an incredible backside patina that tells the many adventures and events that this piece has overcome. Notice that the piece used to have golden painted skin as the forehead and chin tell.

Map
Age: Approximately carved in the late 1800’s.
Ethnic Group: K’iché Achí
Origin: Rabinal, Baja Verapaz
Materials: Wood
Use: Dance of the Rabinal Achí
Technique: Hand carved at a Morería
Size: Approximately 7” x 6” x 3.5”
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