Lot 174
Pre-Columbian, Mexico, Aztec Empire, ca. 1400 to 1521 CE. Carved from a single piece of volcanic basalt, this is a column-shaped figure, kneeling, holding a mask on his or her lap. It is probably depicting a female goddess, as is described more in depth below. The figure has wide open eyes and wears a multi-tiered headdress, giant, spool-shaped earrings, and a huge, triangular pectoral. The mask's lifeless eyes and open mouth contrast with the fully alive, active visage of the figure holding it. The kneeling figure also wears a skirt with a labyrinth-like pattern incised into its face. Size: 3.5" L x 3.85" W x 9.25" H (8.9 cm x 9.8 cm x 23.5 cm)
The Spaniards wrote of the Aztecs believing that stone quarried to be carved had magical properties and was alive, able to speak and prophecy. Aztec stone sculpture is a culmination of centuries of stone carving in Mesoamerica, and, using fragile volcanic stone, they were able to create remarkably detailed artworks. This figure is almost certainly a deity; the Aztecs carved thousands of images of gods and goddesses. There seems to have been a set of strict visual rules for depicting these figures - youthful faces, with inlaid eyes (missing here) and half-open mouths, strict symmetry of pose and clothing, and, for females like this one most likely is, a kneeling posture (males are often shown seated, with knees drawn up). The original Aztec audience for this piece would have instantly known who this god was and what it meant to see her in a place of honor.
Provenance: private collection of William Leazer and William Swann, Dallas, Texas, USA
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#125897
- Condition: Wear to surface commensurate with age and material, with an ancient loss to the top of the figure.
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