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Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
Grinding Stone
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
© Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami. All rights reserved.

Grinding Stone

Artist/Maker (Mesoamerica)
Dateca. 600-900
Mediumbasalt
DimensionsOverall: 7 1/2 x 14 1/8 x 20 1/4 in. (19.1 x 35.9 x 51.4 cm)
ClassificationsTools and Equipment
Credit LineGift of Sylvia Coppersmith in memory of Dora Coppersmith
Terms
    Object number86.0083
    DescriptionOrnate grinding stones were made throughout ancient Mesoamerica and are still used today for ceremonial purposes, although the mechanized molino has replaced these tools for daily use. A high ranking person might have had multiple metates in their household in ancient times, each with a different decoration. This example has the head of a feathered serpent, important throughout ancient Mesoamerica, as a decorative element.
    On View
    Not on view
    Collections
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Miniature Grinding Stone
    Artist Unknown
    ca. 1000-1550 CE
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Throne
    Central Highlands/Atlantic Watershed
    ca. 1000-1550
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Toad
    Olmec
    ca. 800-300 BCE
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Tripod Jar
    Greater Nicoya
    ca. 1000-1550
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Tripod Jar
    Central Highlands/Atlantic Watershed
    ca. 1-500
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Chicomecoatl, The Maize Goddess
    Aztec
    ca. 1350-1521
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Bowl
    Aztec
    ca. 1350-1521
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Feathered Coyote
    Aztec
    ca. 1350-1521
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Double-spout Vessel
    Gran Coclé
    ca. 700-1000
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Storage Vessel (Stamnos)
    Artist Unknown
    6th century BCE
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Monkey
    Artist Unknown
    ca. 1000-1550
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Bowl
    Maya (archaeological culture)
    ca. 600-900
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