Mask; possibly from Nicaragua, 20th century.

Mask; possibly from Nicaragua, 20th century.
Carved and polychrome wood.
Measurements: 27 x 32 x 10 cm.
This mask is likely associated with the theatrical performance of El Güegüense, one of the most representative forms of Nicaraguan folk theater, designated as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. The piece appears to correspond to the character of Macho Ratón, a central figure in this satirical work that combines theater, music, dance, and oral tradition, and which constitutes an expression of Nicaragua’s cultural hybridity. The masks play a fundamental role in the characterization of the characters and in the development of the performance.