Turquoise Mosaic MaskMixtec-Aztec, Mexico, ca. 1400-1521 ADMask possibly representing the god Xiuhte
Turquoise Mosaic MaskMixtec-Aztec, Mexico, ca. 1400-1521 ADMask possibly representing the god Xiuhtecuhtli, made of aromatic cedro wood (Cedrela odorata) and covered in turquoise mosaic with scattered turquoise cabochons. The pierced elliptical eyes worked in mother-of-pearl and the teeth are made of conch shell, although two are modern synthetic replacements. The eyelids were gilded. The interior surface of the mask is painted with cinnabar and the wood was carved to produce a curve and the underlying contours of the face.Suspension holes at the temples indicate that the mask was intended to be worn, or perhaps tied to another object. Examination by SEM has revealed that the gold on the eyelids was applied as a thin foil about one hundredth of a millimetre thick. Masks of the major Aztec deities were probably worn by impersonators to enact scenes from creation stories and to recount the deeds of culture heroes. The protuberances visible on the surface allude to the boils said to have erupted on the face of the Sun God Tonatiuh when he dallied too long in the fiery depths. The darker blue patterns of the cheeks and brow may refer to the Fire God, Xiuhtehcuhtli, whose name also means Turquoise Lord - he is sometimes shown adorned with turquoise mosaic and a nose ornament in the form of an identifying butterfly emblem.Source: British Museum -- source link
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