Old Nahua bat mask (Tzinacantli) – Guerrero Dance Mask –...

An old and expressive Mexican dance mask from Guerrero, attributed to the Nahua tradition. The mask shows a bat figure above a highly stylized human face. This type is linked in museum collections to the Danza del Murciélago / Bat Dance. Hand-carved from wood and richly polychrome-painted. The hollowed back, eye openings and mounting holes show that it was made as a wearable mask. Beautiful old patina with clear wear to the paint and edges. These signs of use give the mask a lot of character and suit well for an old dance mask. According to the previous owner, it came from a family member who lived in Mexico in the 1930s and 1940s. After his death in 1948 his belongings are said to have come to the Netherlands. This family tradition is not further documented. Provenance: Guerrero, Mexico Tradition: Nahua Dating: ca. 1930–1948 Material: carved and painted wood Dimensions: ca. 27 × 18 × 9 cm Weight: 340 grams

Estimate:$5.6

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