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Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
Anthropomorphic Turtle
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
© Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami. All rights reserved.

Anthropomorphic Turtle

Artist/Maker (Central Valley, Mexico)
Dateca. 1350-1521
Mediumbasalt
DimensionsOverall: 8 1/2 x 17 1/4 x 14 1/2 in. (21.6 x 43.8 x 36.8 cm)
ClassificationsVisual Works
Credit LineGift of The Rubin - Ladd Foundation
Terms
    Object number2009.41.8
    DescriptionThis piece is a magnificent example of Aztec sculptural skill and interest in animal representations. The turtle is carved on all sides, which is typical of the Aztec stoneworking tradition. The carapace shows well-defined scutes (external plates or scales) and underneath, a human figure emerges showing only its head, hands, and feet. This figure is likely Ehecatl, the Aztec god of wind, who wears a mask, tubular nose ornament, and a pair of large earspools. Stone images of real or mythological animals with anthropomorphic body parts are common in Mesoamerican art. This hybridization is closely related to an aspect of the Mesoamerican worldview, which allowed the translation of dualities observed in nature – animal/human and earthly/divine – into highly symbolic art forms. Turtles were important in Aztec mythology and were associated with water, earth, and fertility. Several examples of turtle representations in stone and ceramic, along with the remains of actual specimens, have been found as part of offerings in archaeological sites throughout Mexico City.
    On View
    Not on view
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Aztec
    ca. 1350-1521
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Colima
    ca. 300 BCE-300 CE
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Artist Unknown
    ca. 200-1550 CE
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    ca. 450-650
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Mezcala
    ca. 300 BCE-300 CE
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Aztec
    ca. 1350-1521
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Classic Veracruz
    ca. 1200-1400
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Maya (archaeological culture)
    ca. 600-900
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Artist Unknown
    ca. 300-1550
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Artist Unknown
    19th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Olmec
    ca. 800-300 BCE