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Antique Tecún Umán – Treasures
$10000

Antique Tecún Umán – Treasures
Cerrar
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  • Antique Tecún Umán – Treasures
  • Antique Tecún Umán – Treasures
  • Antique Tecún Umán – Treasures
  • Antique Tecún Umán – Treasures
  • Antique Tecún Umán – Treasures
  • Antique Tecún Umán – Treasures
  • Antique Tecún Umán – Treasures
  • Antique Tecún Umán – Treasures
  • Antique Tecún Umán – Treasures
  • Antique Tecún Umán – 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. ----- 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. Notice the real hair-made eyelashes and fine painted eyebrows that highlight the brown glass eyes. The extremely well created skin is light brunette painted highlighted by superb blushing cheeks caused by the effort of fighting; the technique is the same that was applied to the “Santos” in the churches. A black spot can be seen in the left chin as a sign of beauty. The dramatic gesture of the character during the battle is emphasized by his mouth and teeth carvings as well as the forehead and cheek wrinkles. The chin has scratched off paint where many layers of paint can be seen and show the different times the piece has been rented. The smoothest patina with a vintage metal restoration can be seen in the piece’s interior. 

Map
Age: Approximately carved in the early 1800’s.
Ethnic Group: K’iché
Origin: San Cristobal, Totonicapán
Materials: Wood
Use: Dance of the Conquest
Technique: Hand carved at a Morería
Size: Approximately 4.5” x 7.5” x 7”
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