Skip to product information
1 of 7

Vintage Guatemalan Lion Mask | Authentic Folk Art Import

Vintage Guatemalan Lion Mask | Authentic Folk Art Import

★★★★★ Rated 4.9/5 by collectors (30 Reviews)

Est. 1987. Historic craftsmanship meets modern design.

US Domestic Shipping. Insured and tracked from Taos, NM (USA).

Quality Guaranteed. 30-day satisfaction guarantee on every purchase.

U.S. Based Support. Real assistance when you need it.

Regular price $105.00 USD
Regular price Sale price $105.00 USD
Sale Sold out
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Quantity

Artist: Aj Canil Family

Origin: Chichicastenango, Guatemala

Material: Hand-carved wood, natural & acrylic paints

Catalogue Note:

A striking ceremonial lion mask from the Aj Canil family of Chichicastenango, this mid-century work channels the regal and ferocious energy of the feline protector. In Guatemalan highland tradition, the lion—though not native—has been mythologized as a universal emblem of strength, authority, and ancestral vigilance, its image adopted into festival performance with powerful visual intent.

The mask’s palette—saturated ochres, incandescent reds, and piercing turquoise—radiates an almost cosmic dynamism. Concentric circles, painted fangs, and a carved mane coalesce into a visage that is at once fierce and transcendent. It is a convergence of sacred geometry and sculptural force, imbued with ceremonial presence and a richly worn patina that suggests decades of ritual use.

This singular piece speaks to both the enduring artistry of the Aj Canil lineage and the adaptive symbolism of Guatemalan mask traditions.

Highlights:

  • Singular ceremonial lion mask, mid-20th century

  • Created by the Aj Canil family of Chichicastenango

  • Symbolizes protection, ancestral strength, and ritual power

  • Ideal for gallery display, private collection, or ethnographic curation

View full details