Bowl
Artist/Maker
Aztec
(Central Valley, Mexico)
Dateca. 1350-1521
Mediumbasalt, specular hematite and paint
DimensionsOverall: 10 x 10 5/8 x 9 1/8 in. (25.4 x 27 x 23.2 cm)
ClassificationsContainers
Credit LineGift of Drs. Ann and Robert Walzer
Terms
Object number2008.38.12
DescriptionThe god of rain and thunder was a ubiquitous figure in ancient Mesoamerica from the earliest settlements to European contact. In Central Mexico he was known as Tlaloc, first at Teotihuacan and then much later at the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan, where he shared the main temple structure with the war god Huitzilopochtli. Many vessels decorated with Tlaloc have been found since his association with rain and water made liquid a particularly suitable offering to the god. This Tlaloc bowl is made of volcanic stone, a material often utilized for ritual offerings, and on it are the traditional visual attributes of the god: goggle eyes, nose and eyebrows formed by a twisted serpent, and prominent fangs springing from the mouth. The colors associated with Tlaloc, red and blue, are vividly preserved on this bowl, which has a globular shape with small handles on both sides. Several of the most beautiful and sophisticated Tlaloc vessels have been found in dedication offerings at the Templo Mayor.On View
Not on viewCollections