Vintage Guatemalan Jaguar Mask
Vintage Guatemalan Jaguar Mask
★★★★★ Rated 4.9/5 by collectors
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Specifications for the Jaguar Mask
- Artist: Aj Canil Family
- Origin: Chichicastenango trade orbit, Quiché Highlands, Guatemala
- Material: Hand carved wood with polychrome paint and clear varnish
- Form: Helmet mask with tall upright ears, elongated snout, open jaw, and two pegged wooden fangs
- Vision: Small drilled eye openings with painted lash marks
- Interior: Red-orange paint with visible adze and gouge tool marks
- Hanger: Natural fiber cord at the crown
- Estimated date: Late 20th to early 21st century based on finish and construction
- Condition: Bright intact paint, minor edge wear, light handling inside the mouth, fangs secure; see photos for exact condition
Catalogue Note
This mask represents the jaguar, locally called tigre in highland dance drama. The carved features and paint scheme are consistent with Chichicastenango workshop practice: tall ears, dotted muzzle, black striping at the whisker area, rosette patterning across a contrasting ground, and a glossy finish that reads under festival light. The open jaw with pegged wooden fangs is a durable construction choice for airflow and stage presence.
Chichicastenango maintains active morerías that fabricate and rent masks and costumes for annual festivals and community dances. Jaguar figures appear in animal dances and at Fiesta de Santo Tomás events. This example aligns with that living rental-shop tradition.
Key Highlights
- Classic highland tigre iconography with dotted muzzle, rosettes, and bold striping
- Helmet form with open jaw and pegged fangs that read strongly in motion
- Painted lash marks and carved eye rims typical of Quiché workshop style
- Direct association with Chichicastenango rental-shop tradition
- Striking display piece with authentic festival aesthetics
Display and Care
- Indoor display recommended
- Keep away from direct sun and high humidity
- Dust with a dry soft brush; avoid solvents and water on painted surfaces
Attribution and Condition Notes
Attributed to the Chichicastenango trade area based on construction, palette, and varnished finish. The combination of glossy enamel-type paint, robust thickness, and pegged fangs supports a late 20th to early 21st century workshop date within the local rental market. Surface presents light handling and interior wear consistent with storage and trial use. See photos for exact condition.
FAQ
Is “tigre” a jaguar? In Guatemalan mask usage, tigre refers to the jaguar, the native big cat. The mask shows jaguar rosettes and fangs.
Was this used in a specific dance? Jaguar figures appear in highland animal dances and at Fiesta de Santo Tomás events in Chichicastenango.
Can it hang on a wall? Yes. It includes a fiber hanger. For security, consider a discreet wall bracket that supports the interior rim.
