Antique Guatemalan Patron Dance Mask Carved Wood Polychrome Cigar Folk Art 1920s

  
This is a Guatemalan "Patrón" (boss/landowner) dance mask, part of a broader tradition of colonial-era satire dances. The character why he looks like. The mustache, pale face, cigar, and red cheeks are intentional exaggerations. Authority figures imposed on Indigenous communities.

In short: this guy is the boss everyone had to obey. Cultural context (this is the good stuff). After the Spanish conquest of Guatemala (1500s), Indigenous Maya communities were.

But instead of openly resisting (which didn't go well historically), communities developed dance-dramas where. Humor became a safe form of resistance. These dances are still performed today in festivals and religious celebrations. (likely a variation or regional name), masks like this are commonly used in.

Baile de los Moros y Cristianos (Moors vs Christians). The "Patrón" is often arrogant, drunk, or foolish. He's exaggerated for laughs. The audience knows exactly who he represents. Turned into a walking joke with a cigar.

This mask specifically (why it's desirable). Long use life, not decorative-only.

Heavy surface cracking / flaking? Old nail repair through nose?

To secure it to the performer. Sweat/oil from actual performer use. Based on construction and wear: E arly 20th century c 1920s; Possibly earlier, but definitely not pre-1900s. 9" T x 7" W.