Pre-Columbian, Mexico, Aztec, ca. 1300 to 1500 CE. A striking hand-carved stone maskette depicting Tlaloc, the Aztec god of rain, lightning and thunder, a deity believed to bring about fertility, yet simultaneously regarded as a wrathful deity responsible for both floods and droughts, exemplifying that quality of duality possessed by many Pre-Columbian gods. Tlaloc is commonly associated with mountains, springs,and caves, feared for his powers to bring about natural disasters as he was the lord of water, an element of surprising powers. The visage here, carved from an inherently beautiful stone of very dark green hues, depicts one of Tlaloc's animal guises and was skillfully executed with facial features carved in varying degrees of relief making for a dramatic countenance. Quite intriguing are the two pairs of angular ears (representing both animal and human), those concave eyes, the abstract geometric, stylized tears streaming down his cheeks, and that downturned, open mouth. While Tlaloc is usually linked to the Aztecs, the cult of Tlaloc as also adopted by the Maya in the form of Chaac and also had an Olmec predecessor. This piece in fact displays Olmec features, most prominently that downturned were-jaguar mouth. Perforations through the humanoid ears and forehead for suspending ornaments and/or attachment to the wearer. Custom, museum-quality stand. Size: maskette measures 4.125" W x 4.25" H (10.5 cm x 10.8 cm); 6.75" H (17.1 cm) on stand

Provenance: Ex-private Quincy, Illinois collection

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#115931

Intact and excellent. Expected surface wear commensurate with age.