Vintage Guatemalan Diablo Devil Mask Set Real Horns Wood Folk Art Frog Lizard
Overview:
Up for sale is a truly remarkable, complementary pair of vintage hand-carved Guatemalan folk art Diablo (Devil) ceremonial masks. Reflecting the highly sacred and celebratory mask-making traditions of the Guatemalan Highlands (such as Totonicapán), these authentic specimens are masterfully sculpted from solid blocks of native hardwood and fitted with natural, real animal horns.
Up for sale is a truly remarkable, complementary pair of vintage hand-carved Guatemalan folk art Diablo (Devil) ceremonial masks. Reflecting the highly sacred and celebratory mask-making traditions of the Guatemalan Highlands (such as Totonicapán), these authentic specimens are masterfully sculpted from solid blocks of native hardwood and fitted with natural, real animal horns.
Provenance:
These exceptional pieces belong directly to the private collection of the late Dee Marcellus Cole, a highly respected American artist and avid connoisseur of international ethnographic art. Acquired from her estate sale in Upland, California, this pristine lineage guarantees an expert, discerning eye behind their curation and adds significant collectible value.
These exceptional pieces belong directly to the private collection of the late Dee Marcellus Cole, a highly respected American artist and avid connoisseur of international ethnographic art. Acquired from her estate sale in Upland, California, this pristine lineage guarantees an expert, discerning eye behind their curation and adds significant collectible value.
The set features a beautifully balanced pairing of protective zoomorphic and spiritual symbols hand-carved onto the foreheads:
- The Red Mask features a bold, gold-and-black spotted frog/toad motif—a classic and highly revered icon in traditional Guatemalan ceremonial dances, symbolizing rain, fertility, and ancestral wisdom.
- The Orange Mask features a striking, green-and-white striped lizard/scorpion-like creature, serving as a powerful protective totem.
Both masks display expressive, fierce countenances, deeply carved bared teeth, and vibrant polychrome geometric accents. The heavy, rustic chisel and tool marks left on the reverse cleanly demonstrate authentic, non-industrial artisan hand-construction meant for actual regional dance dramas.
Size and Weight (Per Mask):
-
Red Mask (Frog Motif):
- Height: Approx. 13.25" (33.6 cm)
- Width: Approx. 9.0" (22.8 cm)
- Depth: Approx. 4.5" (11.4 cm)
- Weight: Approx. 1.7 lbs (770 g)
-
Orange Mask (Lizard Motif):
- Height: Approx. 13.25" (33.6 cm)
- Width: Approx. 9.0" (22.8 cm)
- Depth: Approx. 4.5" (11.4 cm)
- Weight: Approx. 1.7 lbs (770 g)
Materials:
- Hand-carved indigenous Guatemalan hardwood.
- Natural animal horns (secured with rustic metal fasteners).
- Polychrome pigment and gold paint overlay.
- Original twisted fiber suspension cords.
Condition:
- General: Good vintage condition with exceptional character and a weathered patina. The hand-painted surfaces exhibit expected light scuffs, minor paint wear, and age-related distressing consistent with genuine ethnographic folk art.
- Signatures: Consistent with traditional communal ceremonial objects and unbranded regional folk art, there are no artist signatures, labels, or stamps present on either piece.
- Specific Imperfections: The Red Mask has a minor structural vulnerability where the left horn mount has a small pre-existing hole/gap at the wood joint, causing the horn to have a slight wiggle or play. Given the natural form of the horn socket and the historical alignment of the mounting nails, this appears to have originated during the initial hand-construction or natural wood contraction over time.
Vintage Guatemalan Diablo Devil Mask Set Real Horns Wood Folk Art Frog Lizard
Sale price$550.00
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