A masterwork of ancestral symbolism and visual power, this jaguar mask—aptly named Sunfire Eclipse—pays reverent homage to the feline guardian spirit of the Maya. With a palette that radiates heat and light, the mask features ochre, crimson, and gold-leaf tones that shift across the hand-carved wood like molten energy. The stylized rosettes and striking dotted snout evoke both the wildness of the beast and the geometry of sacred pattern.
In Mesoamerican cosmology, the jaguar is more than a predator—it is a divine messenger, a shapeshifter, and a guide between realms. This piece captures that mythology in form, function, and presence. The gaze, framed by meticulously painted lashes, feels as alive as it is eternal. The mouth—open, fanged, and formidable—adds a theatrical intensity to the work, blending ritual power with artistic refinement.
Details:
One-of-a-kind ceremonial mask from the Guatemalan highlands
Represents the jaguar’s mythic role as protector and portal
Painted with solar and volcanic tones: red, ochre, obsidian
Museum-worthy piece for collectors of ethnographic art
