Terms and conditions of use
Warrior priest impersonating Xiuhtecuhtli
300 CE-500 CE
- Medium
- earthenware, bitumen
- Measurements
- 69.3 × 37.2 × 31.9 cm
- Place/s of Execution
- Veracruz, Gulf Coast, Mexico
- Accession Number
- 2002.295
- Department
- Pre-Columbian Art
- Credit Line
- National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Presented through the NGV Foundation by John Warner, Founder Benefactor, 2002
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Vizard Foundation - Gallery location
- Not on display
- About this work
-
This monumental naturalistic figure depicts a warrior or dignitary impersonating a deity in a ritual performance. One candidate for the deity may be an early form of Xiuhtecuhtli, the god of fire. His name is translated as xiuitl (turquoise) tecuhtli (lord). In his hand he holds a jawless serpent head staff thought be a depiction of Xiuhcoatl, or fire serpent. On his torso is either a turquoise medallion or a round obsidian mirror.