Wooden mask identification

I recently picked up these 2 wooden masks and was hoping someone would be able to give me some background on them. I love they way they look but have no idea about their history or region. Thank you in advance for any help!

 

They look like Mexican Saint masks.

 

Well, I've spent a while trying to figure out exactly who the curly bearded guy is supposed to be. Have seen so many descriptions, I'm confused and at the point where I think I'll just try to ping @Taupou

Putting your pics up as full image.



Here's a glob of keywords, if you want to Google around, LOL!
Mexican Spaniard Mask
Mexican Dance Mask
Mexican Carnival Mask
Spanish Colonial Mask
Mexican Dance Mask Bearded Man
Mexican Dance Mask Hermit
Dance Mask Christians Moors

A couple of sites to look at while you wait.

Mexican Dance Masks
http://mexicandancemasks.com/?p=455

Folk Art Guide Mexican Masks
http://www.mexican-folk-art-guide.com/Mexican-masks.html

P.S. - Please post measurements and pictures of the back of the masks.

 

I'm thinking.....Oh, Laura...ye of little faith....hehehe..........

Alvarado mask. Guatemala.This mask was made to wear in the Dance of the Conquest. Pedro de Alvarado was a Spanish general, and as such, represents the main Guatemalan conquistador who fights against the Mayan warriors.

 

Oh very interesting. Someone had filled the "eyeholes" in the forehead with wood putty. I presume those are eyeholes? I wonder why these were never painted. I appreciate the info!

 

yes the eye holes are filled in .
I can only surmise that these are newer masks , purchased unfinished, & the owner saw fit to plug the eyeholes...seeing as how the eyes themselves were never completed ...

 

Does this wood mask fall in the same category? How old do you think it is? I bought it in AZ; apparently it came from Mexico (or possibly South America). In person, it looks very old (starting to disintegrate).

 

It's my understanding that they're meant to represent Europeans. A clue is the facial hair -- mustache and beard -- which wasn't typical of the native Indian population.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_mask-folk_art#Masks_depicting_Europeans

Debora