This vibrant mid-century ceremonial mask, carved by the Aj Canil family of Chichicastenango, reimagines the horse—a symbol of colonial upheaval and syncretic tradition—through the distinct language of Guatemalan highland artistry.
With its earthy brown base accented by ochre chains and sunburst eye motifs, the piece evokes both kinetic power and ceremonial gravitas. The horse, once an alien force, has since been woven into the ritual fabric of Mesoamerican festivals, carrying associations of endurance, strength, and spiritual passage.
The layered pigment, formal symmetry, and expressive linework suggest performance and myth in equal measure. A commanding object of both aesthetic and anthropological weight.
Highlights:
Singular ceremonial horse mask with symbolic coloration
Attributed to the Aj Canil family, Chichicastenango
Embodies equine iconography within Guatemalan ritual tradition
Exceptional for gallery display or ethnographic collection
