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Old Alvarado -M- Conquistador
$2500

Old Alvarado -M- Conquistador
Cerrar
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  • Old Alvarado -M- Conquistador
  • Old Alvarado -M- Conquistador
  • Old Alvarado -M- Conquistador
  • Old Alvarado -M- Conquistador
  • Old Alvarado -M- Conquistador
  • Old Alvarado -M- Conquistador
  • Old Alvarado -M- Conquistador
  • Old Alvarado -M- Conquistador

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 main Spanish Conquistador, Pedro de Alvarado. During the Dance of the Conquest, Alvarado will fight against the leader of the Mayan Warriors, Tecun Uman. Alvarado was sent by Cortez to conquer the south of Mexico, a territory known as "Coactemalan" by the Indigenous people, the place of trees. When the Mayas saw this blond character, they nicknamed him "Tonatiuh"- the son of the Sun. So when represented during the ceremonies, the blondness of the character is always exaggerated; notice the golden painted hair, sideburns, eyebrows and moustaches. The exquisite ability of the artist is demonstrated with high relief curls, excellent hair lines and stylistic moustaches; nose and ear carvings are masterly made. Sunburned ears, nose and cheeks; red lips and gorgeous blue glass eyes with horse-hair made eyelashes give this Conquistador a beautiful look. Two golden teeth represent the character\'s wealth and social status. The skin has many layers of old paint that are covered by a recently added layer. The piece has an extraordinary look, but it is the backside patina that tells the many adventures and events that this piece has overcome. Notice the signature made by the costume shop or Moreria with the letter M, a way of recognizing the mask after the ceremonies end. Two metal reparations have been made on the backside of the piece. 

Map
Age: Approximately carved in the early 1900’s.
Ethnic Group: K’iché
Origin: Sololá
Materials: Wood
Use: Dance of the Conquest
Technique: hand carved at a Morería
Size: Approximately 7.5” x 6.5” x 6.5”
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