Goiter mask

Rabinal, Guatemala

7 inches, painted wood

This mask is worn by Mayan descendants who mock the conquerors with white skin, red lips and exaggerated mustaches and eyelashes. The dancers also like to imitate and mock people they know in different villages. The male versions are called Patrons or Patzcars, and the females are Patronas or Patzcarinas. Both sexes are portrayed by male dancers. The bump on the forehead is a goiter, which is sometimes shown on the chin or neck. A forehead goiter masks is rare.

$295