ALTAR WITH THE REPRESENTATION OF GODS QUETZALCÓATL, CHACMOOL, ATLANTEOLT and another one unidentified, probably GOD OF CORN.
AZTEC CIVILIZATION. 1300-1521 AC

Height: 34.5 cm
Width: 25 cm
Depth: 24 cm

Important collection of sculptures made of grEy volcanic stone. The statue block is cut in high relief by the six sides. It represents a great kneeling human figure that simultaneously holds three smaller figures with his arms. The three small figures represent the lower gods of the Mexica Aztec pantheon: a god Atlanteotl seated, with his arms raised holding the Universe, a Chacmool god lying on the floor, with his legs flexed and the offerings altar on his belly, and an unidentified third god that could be the corn god or a goddess of fertility, since he has his hands on his belly.
The largest figure, which occupies virtually the whole block, represents the supreme God Quetzalcoat. On the front there are two large necklaces that probably, as in other sculptures of divinities, represent the hearts of the sacrificed. The arms are decorated with numerous bracelets and on the sides we can seethe kneeling legs, what is typical in the Aztec statuary. The legs continue at the bottom of the sculpture to the back, where are the feet. The face has been sculpted flat in the shape of an altar or table, with ears decorated with earrings and with an expression on the face that does not go unnoticed, with a big mouth open as if emulating a cry. On the back there is a snake screwed up with a large head and with teeth, wearing a necklace where schematically there is a feather that defines the true entity of the person represented on this altar: Quetzalcoalt (the stuffed snake). In ancient times, both the snake and the bird have been related and have been symbols of the great Goddess, and this cult is likely to reach the American continent with this same idea at some point away from prehistory.
The sculpture is cut in a quite original way so that it can be observed from its right diagonal. This fact suggests that it was part of a larger altar set, where this sculpture would be a side part.
The piece is preserved in its entirety, without polychrome and with remains of calcifications. Despite cleaning, it also preserves plant and ground remains in the pores of stone, especially at the bottom.

From private collection of southwestern USA. Given to the gallery owner Ron Messick in his gallery of San Fe, New Mexico (USA)

Price: CONSULT