Anthropomorphic face mask

wood, colour pigments,

In Mexico and Guatemala, masks appear in countless variations at almost all festivals, religious celebrations and dances.

The masks are of pre-Columbian or colonial origin. The latter imitate historical persons from times of conquest and conversion to Christianity. The "Dance of the Conquest" in Guatemala and the Mexican variant of the "Danza de la Pluma" are particularly well known. It is assumed that many aspects of the dances date back to the time before the conquest and were adapted to suit the taste of the Spaniards.