Tecun Uman mask

Chichicastenango, El Quiché, Guatemala

8 inches, painted wood

Tecu Uman was a famous Indian chief who fought the Conquistadores valiantly in the Battle of Quetzaltenango in 1524. As he confronted Pedro de Alvarado, the mounted Spanish commander, he attacked and wounded the horse, believing they were one person. This gave Alvarado a chance to retaliate, and he killed Tecu Uman. During the Dance of the Conquest, Tecún Umán dies at three o’clock, linking him to Jesus on the cross. The Quetzal bird (which is the national symbol of Guatemala) stands in his wounds and gets its chest red from the hero’s blood. This example is beautifully carved and painted for recently produced masks.

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