Description:

Pre-Columbian, Valley of Mexico, Aztec, ca. 1200 to 1500 CE. An exemplary and quite rare stone head of Xolotl, the Aztec god of fire and lightning who was commonly depicted with the head of a dog and the body of a man. The canine brother and twin of Quetzalcoatl, Xolotl served as a soul guide for the dead and governed over twins, monsters, death, misfortune, sickness, and deformities, making him both a feared and revered figure. Adorned with the spirally-twisted ear ornaments of Quetzalcoatl, his long, canine snout, sharp fangs, and protruding tongue create a striking and haunting image. The empty eye sockets hold a deeper mystery, rooted in the legend of Teotihuacan, where Xolotl's sorrow over the gods' sacrifice for the sun caused his eyes to fall from their sockets, forever marking his grief. This unique relic not only captures the spirit of Aztec mythology but also offers a powerful glimpse into a world of ancient gods and timeless stories. Size: 9" L x 5.9" W x 5.5" H (22.9 cm x 15 cm x 14 cm); 7.9" H (20.1 cm) on included custom stand.

Xolotl is the dark personification of Venus, the evening star, and was associated with heavenly fire. As a psychopomp, Xolotl would guide the dead on their journey to Mictlan the afterlife in myths. Xolotl accompanied Quetzalcoatl to Mictlan, the land of the dead, or the underworld, to retrieve the bones from those who inhabited the previous world (Nahui Atl) to create new life for the present world, Nahui Ollin, the sun of movement. In a sense, this re-creation of life is reenacted every night when Xolotl guides the sun through the underworld.

Xolotl's 2 spirit animal forms are the Xoloitzcuintli dog and the water salamander species known as the Axolotl. Xolos served as companions to the Aztecs in this life and also in the after-life, as many dog remains and dog sculptures have been found in Aztec burials, including some at the main temple in Tenochtitlan. Dogs were often subject to ritual sacrifice so that they could accompany their master on his voyage through Mictlan, the underworld. Their main duty was to help their owners cross a deep river. It is possible that dog sculptures also found in burials were also intended to help people on this journey. Xoloitzcuintli is the official name of the Mexican Hairless Dog (also known as perro pelon Mexicano in Mexican Spanish), a pre-Columbian canine breed from Mesoamerica dating back to over 3,500 years ago. The name "Xoloitzcuintli" references Xolotl because this dog's mission was to accompany the souls of the dead in their journey into eternity.

Published in: Martha Schwendener, "Salon Fair, Still Focused on Decor, Now Back at the Armory," The New York Times, November 12, 2021 (Section C, Pg 14) and Martha Schwendener "2021 Salon Art + Design Press Report," Sanford L. Smith + Associates, November 2021 (published online November 29, 2023).

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection, acquired via Salon Art + Design, New York, USA, November 2021; ex-private California, USA collection, acquired 1970s or earlier

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#190055

    Condition:
  • Expected nicks, pitting, and abrasions with some small chips in areas as shown, all commensurate with age. Otherwise, intact and excellent. Impressive remaining detail and some light earthen deposits throughout.

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